# Sayings of the Desert Fathers (alphabetical collection) - Author: Anonymous - Latin title: *Apophthegmata Patrum (collectio alphabetica)* - Date: compiled ca. 450-500 (sayings 4th-5th century) (disputed) - Source: J.-B. Cotelier, Ecclesiae Graecae monumenta, vol. 1 (Paris, 1677), reprinted in J.-P. Migne, ed., Patrologia Graeca 65, cols. 71-440 (Paris, 1864) - Translation: Claude, from the original text, unless a passage says otherwise; each passage below gives the translator - Editions and translations: J.-C. Guy, ed., Les Apophtegmes des Pères: collection systématique, SC 387, 474, 498 (Paris, 1993-2005) (systematic collection; cited only); B. Ward, trans., The Sayings of the Desert Fathers (Kalamazoo, 1975); cited only - Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/ - Passages: 899 ## Antony 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-1 - Source: PG 65:75 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: In a time of listlessness Antony is shown by an angel the rhythm of work and prayer that will save him. ### Greek text Ὁ ἅγιος ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος καθεζόμενός ποτε ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, ἐν ἀκηδίᾳ γέγονε καὶ πολλῇ σκοτώσει λογισμῶν· καὶ ἔλεγε πρὸς τὸν Θεόν Κύριε, θέλω σωθῆναι, καὶ οὐκ ἐῶσί με οἱ λογισμοί· τί ποιήσω ἐν τῇ θλίψει μου; πῶς σωθῶ; Καὶ μικρὸν διαναστὰς ἐπὶ τὰ ἔξω, θεωρεῖ τινα ὁ Ἀντώνιος ὡς ἑαυτὸν, καθεζόμενον καὶ ἐργαζόμενον, εἶτα ἀνιστάμενον ἀπὸ τοῦ ἔργου καὶ προσευχόμενον, καὶ πάλιν καθεζόμενον καὶ τὴν σειρὰν πλέκοντα, εἶτα πάλιν εἰς προσευχὴν ἀνιστάμενον ἦν δὲ ἄγγελος Κυρίου, ἀποσταλεὶς πρὸς διόρθωσιν καὶ ἀσφάλειαν Ἀντωνίου. Καὶ ἤκουσε τοῦ ἀγγέλου λέγοντος Οὕτως ποίει, καὶ σώζῃ. Ὁ δὲ τοῦτο ἀκούσας, πολλὴν χαρὰν ἔσχε καὶ θάρσος, καὶ οὕτως ποιῶν ἐσώζετο. ### English translation (Claude) When the holy abba Antony was once sitting in the desert, he fell into listlessness and great darkness of thoughts, and he said to God, “Lord, I want to be saved, and my thoughts will not let me. What shall I do in my affliction? How shall I be saved?” And getting up a little and going outside, Antony sees someone like himself, sitting and working, then getting up from the work and praying, and again sitting and plaiting the rope, then again getting up to pray. It was an angel of the Lord, sent for Antony’s correction and safety. And he heard the angel saying, “Do this, and you will be saved.” When he heard this, he had great joy and courage, and by doing so he was saved. ### Translation notes - ἀκηδία is rendered “listlessness” (the monk’s weariness and restlessness, often “accidie”). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.1 (PG 65:75; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1). ## Antony 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-2 - Source: PG 65:75 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony asks why life and wealth are unequally given and is told to attend to himself, not to God’s judgments. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος, ἀτενίσας πρὸς τὸ βάθος τῶν τοῦ Θεοῦ κριμάτων, ἤτησε λέγων· Κύριε, πῶς τινες ὀλιγόβιοι ἀποθνήσκουσι, τινὲς δὲ ὑπεργηρῶσι; καὶ διατί τινὲς μὲν πένονται, ἄλλοι δὲ πλουτοῦσι καὶ πῶς ἄδικοι μὲν πλουτοῦσι, δίκαιοι δὲ πένονται; Ἦλθε δὲ αὐτῷ φωνή λέγουσα· Ἀντώνιε, σεαυτῷ πρόσεχε ταῦτα γὰρ κρίματα Θεοῦ εἰσι, καὶ οὐ συμφέρει σοι αὐτὰ μαθεῖν. ### English translation (Claude) The same abba Antony, gazing into the depth of God’s judgments, asked, “Lord, how is it that some die after a short life while others reach extreme old age? And why are some poor and others rich? And how is it that the unjust are rich and the just are poor?” And a voice came to him, saying, “Antony, attend to yourself; for these are judgments of God, and it is not good for you to learn them.” ### Scripture references - Rom 11:33: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.2 (PG 65:75; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-2). ## Antony 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-3 - Source: PG 65:75 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony gives three rules: keep God before your eyes, act on the testimony of Scripture, and do not leave your place quickly. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησέ τις τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀντώνιον, λέγων· φυλάξας τῷ Θεῷ εὐαρεστήσω; Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ γέρων εἶπεν· "Α ἐντέλλομαί σοι φύλαξον· ὅπου δὲ ἂν ἀπέρχῃ, τὸν Θεὸν ἔχε πρὸ ὀφθαλμῶν σου πάντοτε καὶ ὅπερ ἂν πράττεις ἔχε ἐκ τῶν ἁγίων Γραφῶν τὴν μαρτυρίαν καὶ ἐν οἴῳ δ᾽ ἂν καθέζῃ τόπῳ, μὴ ταχέως κινοῦ. Τὰ τρία ταῦτα φύλαξον, καὶ σώζῃ. μᾶλλον δὲ κάτεργον. Τοῦτο γὰρ σαφῶς ἐπαίδευσεν ὁ νης ὁ πρόδρομος, καὶ ὁ θεολόγος Ἰωάννης πραότητος δὲ, Μωϋσῆς, καὶ Δαυΐδ· τῆς δὲ τῆς δὲ προσευχῆς, αὐτὸς ὁ Θεοῦ Λόγος, καὶ ὁ φανεὶς ἄγγελος Ἀντωνίῳ καὶ Παχωμίῳ. ### English translation (Claude) Someone asked abba Antony, “What must I keep in order to please God?” And the old man answered, “Keep what I command you: wherever you go, always have God before your eyes; whatever you do, have the testimony for it from the holy Scriptures; and in whatever place you live, do not leave it quickly. Keep these three things, and you will be saved.” … rather … For this was clearly taught by John the Forerunner and John the Theologian; meekness by Moses and David; and prayer by the Word of God himself and by the angel who appeared to Antony and Pachomius. ### Translation notes - The saying ends with “you will be saved.” The words that follow in the scan (from “rather”) are garbled and incomplete; they appear to be a scholion or note printed with the text, not part of Antony’s saying, and are translated by sense with “…” where words are lost. The opening question lacks its interrogative (probably “What”) in the scan; translated by sense. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.3 (PG 65:75; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-3). ## Antony 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-4 - Source: PG 65:77 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony tells Poemen that the great work is to take the blame for one’s own fault and expect temptation to the end. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι, ὅτι Αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ μεγάλη ἐργασία τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ἵνα τὸ σφάλμα ἑαυτοῦ ἐπάνω ἑαυτοῦ βάλῃ ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ προσδοκήσῃ πειρασμὸν ἕως ἐσχάτης ἀναπνοῆς. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Antony said to abba Poemen, “This is the great work of a man: to lay his fault upon himself before God, and to expect temptation until his last breath.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.4 (PG 65:77; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-4). ## Antony 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-5 - Source: PG 65:77 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony teaches that temptation is necessary for salvation. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς εἶπεν· Οὐδεὶς ἀπείραστος δυνήσεται εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν. Ἔπαρον γὰρ, φησὶ, τοὺς πειρασμοὺς, καὶ οὐδεὶς ὁ σωζόμενος. ### English translation (Claude) The same said, “No one who has not been tempted will be able to enter the kingdom of heaven. For take away temptations,” he says, “and no one is saved.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.5 (PG 65:77; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-5). ## Antony 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-6 - Source: PG 65:77 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony counsels Pambo not to trust his righteousness, not to regret the past, and to control tongue and belly. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Παμβὼ τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀντώνιον· Τί ποιήσω; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Μὴ ἔσο πεποιθὼς τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ σου, μηδὲ μεταμελοῦ ἐπὶ πράγματι παρελθόντι, καὶ ἐγκρατὴς γενοῦ γλώσσης καὶ κοιλίας. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Pambo asked abba Antony, “What shall I do?” The old man says to him, “Do not trust in your own righteousness, do not regret a thing that is past, and be master of your tongue and your belly.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.6 (PG 65:77; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-6). ## Antony 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-7 - Source: PG 65:77 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony sees the devil’s snares over the earth and learns that humility passes them. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος Εἶδον πάσας τὰς παγίδας τοῦ ἐχθροῦ ἡπλωμένας ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς· καὶ στενάξας εἶπον· Τίς ἄρα παρέρχεται ταύτας; Καὶ ἤκουσα φωνῆς λεγούσης μοι· Ἡ ταπεινοφροσύνη. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Antony said, “I saw all the snares of the enemy spread out over the earth, and I groaned and said, ‘Who then gets past these?’ And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Humility.’” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.7 (PG 65:77; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-7). ## Antony 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-8 - Source: PG 65:77 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Asceticism without discernment leads away from God. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Εἰσί τινες κατατρίψαντες τὰ ἑαυτῶν σώματα ἐν ἀσκήσει, καὶ διὰ τὸ μὴ ἐσχηκέναι αὐτοὺς διάκρισιν, μακρὰν τοῦ Θεοῦ γεγόνασιν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “There are some who have worn out their bodies in ascetic practice, and because they did not have discernment, they have become far from God.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.8 (PG 65:77; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-8). ## Antony 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-9 - Source: PG 65:77 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony teaches that life and death depend on how we treat our neighbor. ### Greek text Εἶπεν πάλιν, ὅτι Ἐκ τοῦ πλησίον ἐστὶν ἡ ζωή καὶ ὁ θάνατος. Ἐὰν γὰρ κερδήσωμεν τὸν ἀδελφὸν, τὸν Θεὸν κερδαίνομεν· ἐὰν δὲ σκανδαλίσωμεν τὸν ἀδελφὸν, εἰς Χριστὸν ἁμαρτάνομεν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Life and death come from our neighbor. For if we gain our brother, we gain God; but if we cause our brother to stumble, we sin against Christ.” ### Scripture references - Matt 18:15: echo, low confidence - 1 Cor 8:12: allusion, medium confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.9 (PG 65:77; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-9). ## Antony 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-10 - Source: PG 65:77 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Like fish out of water, monks who linger outside the cell lose their stillness. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ὥσπερ οἱ ἰχθύες ἐγχρονίζοντες τῇ ξηρᾷ τελευτῶσιν, οὕτως καὶ οἱ μοναχοί, βραδύνοντες ἔξω τοῦ κελλίου, ἢ μετὰ κοσμικῶν διατρίβοντες, πρὸς τὸν τῆς ἡσυχίας τόνον ἐκλύονται. Δεῖ οὖν, ὥσπερ τὸν ἰχθὺν εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν, οὕτως καὶ ἡμᾶς εἰς τὸ κελλίον ἐπείγεσθαι, μήποτε βραδύνοντες ἔξω ἐπιλαθώμεθα τῆς ἔνδον φυλακῆς. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Just as fish that stay long on dry land die, so monks who linger outside the cell or spend time with people of the world lose the tension of stillness. So, as the fish hurries to the sea, we too must hurry to the cell, lest by lingering outside we forget the watch within.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.10 (PG 65:77; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-10). ## Antony 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-11 - Source: PG 65:77 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The hermit escapes the wars of hearing, speech, and sight, but still fights sexual temptation. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Ὁ καθήμενος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καὶ ἡσυχάζων, τριῶν ἀπαλλάττεται πολέμων, τῆς ἀκοῆς, καὶ τῆς λαλιᾶς, καὶ τοῦ βλέπειν· πρὸς ἕνα μόνον ἔχει, τὸν τῆς πορνείας ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “The one who sits in the desert in stillness is delivered from three wars: of hearing, of speaking, and of seeing. He has only one to fight: that of sexual immorality.” ### Translation notes - The last word of the saying (“war”) is missing at the end of the line in the scan; the sense is clear. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.11 (PG 65:77; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-11). ## Antony 12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-12 - Source: PG 65:77 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony shows brothers by the example of their dead donkey that visions which come true may still be from demons. ### Greek text Ἀδελφοί τινες παρέβαλον τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀντωνίῳ, ἀναγγείλαι αὐτῷ φαντασίας ἃς ἔβλεπον, καὶ μαθεῖν παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ εἰ ἀληθιναί εἰσιν, ἢ ἀπὸ δαιμόνων. Εἶχον δὲ ὄνον, καὶ ἀπέθανεν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ. Ὡς οὖν ἦλθον πρὸς τὸν γέροντα, προλαβὼν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Πῶς ἀπέθανεν ὁ μικρὸς ὄνος ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ; Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Πόθεν οἶδας, ἀββᾶ; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Οἱ δαίμονες ἔδειξάν μοι. Καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Ἡμεῖς διὰ τοῦτο ἤλθομεν έρωτῆσαί σε, ὅτι βλέπομεν φαντασίας, καὶ πολλάκις γίνονται ἀληθιναὶ, μήπως πλανώμεθα. Καὶ ἐπληροφόρησεν αὐτοὺς ὁ γέρων ἐκ τοῦ κατὰ τὸν ὄνον ἀποδείγματος, ὅτι ἀπὸ δαιμόνων εἰσίν. ### English translation (Claude) Some brothers came to abba Antony to tell him about visions they were seeing and to learn from him whether they were true or from demons. They had a donkey, and it died on the way. When they came to the old man, he spoke first and said to them, “How did the little donkey die on the way?” They say to him, “How do you know, abba?” He said to them, “The demons showed me.” And they say to him, “That is why we came to ask you: we see visions, and often they come true; we fear we are being deceived.” And the old man convinced them from the example of the donkey that they were from demons. ### Translation notes - A neutral note: the saying assumes that demons can know and reveal distant events, and teaches that such knowledge does not prove a vision is from God. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.12 (PG 65:77; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-12). ## Antony 13 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-13 - Source: PG 65:77–79 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony uses a hunter’s bow to show that brothers must not be stretched beyond measure. ### Greek text ὧν δὲ τις κατὰ τὴν ἔρημον θηρεύων ἄγρια ζῶα, καὶ εἶδε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀντώνιον χαριεντιζόμενον μετὰ τῶν ἀδελφῶν ὁ. Θέλων δὲ αὐτὸν πληροφορῆσαι ὁ γέρων, ὅτι χρὴ μίαν συγκαταβαίνειν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς, λέγει αὐτῷ· Βάλε βέλος εἰς τὸ τόξον σου, καὶ τεῖνον καὶ ἐποίησεν οὕτως. Λέγει αὐτῷ· Πάλιν τεῖνον καὶ ἔτεινεν. Καὶ πάλιν φησί· Τεῖνον. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ θηρευτής Ἐὰν ὑπὲρ τὸ μέτρον τείνω, κλᾶται τὸ τόξον. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Οὕτως καὶ εἰς τὸ ἔργον τοῦ Θεοῦ· ἐὰν πλεῖον τοῦ μέτρου τείνωμεν κατὰ τῶν ἀδελφῶν, ταχὺ προσρήσσουσι. Χρὴ οὖν μίαν μίαν συγκαταβαίνειν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς. Ταῦτα ἀκούσας ὁ θηρευτής, κατενύγη, καὶ πολλὰ ὠφεληθεὶς παρὰ τοῦ γέροντος, ἀπῆλθε καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ στηριχθέντες ἀνεχώρησαν εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτῶν. ### English translation (Claude) There was a man hunting wild animals in the desert, and he saw abba Antony joking with the brothers, … The old man, wanting to convince him that one must sometimes come down to the brothers’ level, says to him, “Put an arrow in your bow and draw it.” And he did so. He says to him, “Draw it again,” and he drew it. And again he says, “Draw.” The hunter says to him, “If I draw beyond measure, the bow breaks.” The old man says to him, “So it is also in the work of God: if we stretch the brothers beyond measure, they quickly break. So one must sometimes come down to the brothers’ level.” When the hunter heard this, he was pierced to the heart, and having been greatly helped by the old man he went away; and the brothers, strengthened, went back to their place. ### Translation notes - The scan has “ὧν” for “Ἦν” (“There was”) and a stray “ὁ.” where a few words are lost (probably “and he was offended”); not supplied. μίαν (μίαν) συγκαταβαίνειν is taken as “sometimes come down to their level”. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.13 (PG 65:77–79; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-13). ## Antony 14 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-14 - Source: PG 65:79 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A young monk who worked a wonder falls into sin; Antony grieves, and the monk dies repentant within five days. ### Greek text Ἤκουσεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος περί τινος νεωτέρου μοναχοῦ, ποιήσαντος σημεῖον ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ· ὡς τούτου ἑωρακότος γέροντάς τινας ὁδεύοντας καὶ κάμνοντας ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, καὶ ὀνάγρους ἐπιτάξαντος ἐλθεῖν καὶ βαστάσαι τοὺς γέροντας, ἕως οὗ φθάσωσι πρὸς Ἀντώνιον. Οἱ οὖν γέροντες ἀνήγγειλαν τῷ ἀββα Ἀντωνίῳ ταῦτα. Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ἔοικέ μοι ὁ μοναχὸς οὗτος πλοῖον εἶναι μεστὸν ἀγαθῶν, οὐκ οἶδα δὲ εἰ ἥξει εἰς τὸν λιμένα. Καὶ μετὰ χρόνον ἄρχεται ἐξαίφνης ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος κλαίειν καὶ τίλλειν τὸς τρίχας αὐτοῦ καὶ ὀδύρεσθαι. Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ· Τί κλαίεις, ἀββᾶ; Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων Μέγας στύλος τῆς Ἐκκλησίας ἄρτι ἔπεσεν (ἔλεγε δὲ περὶ τοῦ νεωτέρου μοναχοῦ)· ἀλλὰ ἀπέλθετε, φησὶν, ἕως αὐτοῦ, καὶ βλέπετε τὸ γεγονός. Ἀπέρχονται οὖν οἱ μαθηταὶ, καὶ εὑρίσκουσι τὸν μοναχὸν ἐπὶ ψιαθίου καθήμενον, καὶ κλαίοντα τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἣν εἰργάσατο. Ἑωρακὼς δὲ τοὺς μαθητὰς τοῦ γέροντος, λέγει· Εἴπατε τῷ γέροντι ἵνα παρακαλέσῃ τὸν Θεὸν, δέκα μόνας ἡμέρας ἐνδοῦναι μοι, καὶ ἐλπίζω ἀπολογήσασθαι. Καὶ ἐντὸς ἡμερῶν πέντε ἐτελεύτησεν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Antony heard about a young monk who had worked a sign on the road: seeing some old men traveling and growing tired on the road, he commanded wild asses to come and carry the old men until they reached Antony. So the old men told abba Antony about this. And he says to them, “This monk seems to me like a ship full of goods; but I do not know whether it will reach harbor.” And after a time abba Antony suddenly begins to weep, tear his hair, and lament. His disciples say to him, “Why are you weeping, abba?” And the old man said, “A great pillar of the church has just fallen” (he meant the young monk); “but go to him,” he says, “and see what has happened.” So the disciples go, and they find the monk sitting on a mat and weeping over the sin he had committed. When he saw the old man’s disciples, he says, “Tell the old man to ask God to grant me only ten days, and I hope to make my defense.” And within five days he died. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.14 (PG 65:79; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-14). ## Antony 15 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-15 - Source: PG 65:79 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony likens a praised monk who cannot bear dishonor to a village adorned in front and robbed behind. ### Greek text Ἐπηνέθη τις μοναχὸς ὑπὸ τῶν ἀδελφῶν πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀντώνιον. Ὁ δὲ παραβαλόντα αὐτὸν ἐπείρασεν, εἰ φέρει ἀτιμίαν· καὶ εὑρὼν ὅτι οὐ βαστάζει, εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἔοικας κώμῃ, τὰ ἔμπροσθεν κεκαλλωπισμένῃ, τὰ δὲ ὄπισθεν ὑπὸ λῃστῶν συλουμένῃ. ### English translation (Claude) A certain monk was praised by the brothers to abba Antony. When he came to visit, Antony tested him to see whether he could bear dishonor; and finding that he could not bear it, he said to him, “You are like a village beautifully adorned in front but plundered by robbers behind.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.15 (PG 65:79; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-15). ## Antony 16 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-16 - Source: PG 65:79 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony tells a brother that another’s prayer is useless unless he himself strives and prays. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς εἶπε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀντωνίῳ· Εὔξαι ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Οὐδὲ ἐγώ σε ἐλεῶ, οὐδὲ ὁ Θεὸς, ἐὰν μὴ σὺ αὐτὸς σπουδάσῃς, καὶ αἰτήσῃ τὸν Θεόν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother said to abba Antony, “Pray for me.” The old man says to him, “Neither I nor God will have mercy on you, unless you yourself make an effort and ask God.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.16 (PG 65:79; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-16). ## Antony 17 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-17 - Source: PG 65:79 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony praises abba Joseph for answering a question on Scripture with “I do not know.” ### Greek text Παρέβαλόν ποτε γέροντες τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀντωνίῳ, καὶ ἦν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωσὴφ μετ᾿ αὐτῶν. Καὶ θέλων ὁ γέρων δοκιμάσαι αὐτοὺς, προεβάλετο ῥῆμα ἐκ τῆς Γραφῆς, καὶ ἤρξατο ἐρωτῶν ἀπὸ τῶν μικροτέρων, τί ἐστι τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο. Καὶ ἕκαστος ἔλεγε κατὰ τὴν ἰδίαν δύναμιν. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἑκάστῳ ἔλεγεν· Οὔπω εὗρες. Ὕστερον ὅλων λέγει τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἰωσήφ· Σὺ πῶς λέγεις εἶναι τὸν λόγον τοῦτον Ἀποκρίνεται Οὐκ οἶδα. Λέγει οὖν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος· Πάντως ἀββᾶς Ἰωσὴφ εὗρε τὴν ὁδὸν, ὅτι εἶπεν, Οὐκ οἶδα. ### English translation (Claude) Once some old men visited abba Antony, and abba Joseph was with them. Wishing to test them, the old man put forward a word from Scripture and began asking, starting with the youngest, what this word meant. Each spoke according to his own ability. But the old man said to each one, “You have not found it yet.” Last of all he says to abba Joseph, “How do you say this word is to be understood?” He answers, “I do not know.” So abba Antony says, “Truly abba Joseph has found the way, because he said, ‘I do not know.’” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.17 (PG 65:79; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-17). ## Antony 18 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-18 - Source: PG 65:81 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A silent old man compares chattering brothers to a courtyard without a door. ### Greek text Ἀδελφοὶ παρέβαλον τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀντωνίῳ ἀπὸ Σκήτεως, καὶ ἐμβάντες εἰς πλοῖον ἀπελθεῖν πρὸς αὐτὸν, εὗρον γέροντα θέλοντα καὶ αὐτὸν ἀπελθεῖν ἐκεῖ. Ἡγνόουν δὲ αὐτὸν οἱ ἀδελφοί. Καὶ καθήμενοι ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ ἐλάλουν λόγους Πατέρων, καὶ ἐκ τῆς Γραφῆς, καὶ πάλιν περὶ ἐργοχείρων ἑαυτῶν. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἐσιώπα. Ἐλθόντων δὲ αὐτῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ ὅρμου, εὑρέθη καὶ ὁ γέρων ὑπάγων πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀντώνιον. Ὡς δὲ ἦλθον πρὸς αὐτὸν, λέγει αὐτοῖς· Καλὴν συνοδίαν εὔρετε, τὸν γέροντα τοῦτον. Εἶπε δὲ καὶ τῷ γέροντι Καλοὺς ἀδελφοὺς εὗρες μετὰ σοῦ, ἀββᾶ. Λέγει ὁ γέρων· Καλοὶ μέν εἰσιν, ἀλλ᾽ ἡ αὐλὴ αὐτῶν οὐκ ἔχει θύραν, καὶ ὁ θέλων εἰσέρχεται εἰς τὸν σταῦλον, καὶ λύει τὸν ὄνον. Τοῦτο δὲ ἔλεγεν, ὅτι τὰ ἐρχόμενα εἰς τὸ στόμα αὐτῶν λαλοῦσιν ### English translation (Claude) Brothers from Scetis were going to visit abba Antony, and when they boarded a boat to go to him, they found an old man who also wanted to go there. The brothers did not know him. Sitting in the boat, they talked about sayings of the Fathers and about Scripture, and again about their own handiwork. But the old man was silent. When they came to the landing place, it turned out that the old man too was going to abba Antony. When they came to him, he says to them, “You found a good traveling companion in this old man.” And he said also to the old man, “You found good brothers with you, abba.” The old man says, “They are good, but their courtyard has no door, and whoever wishes goes into the stable and unties the donkey.” He said this because they spoke whatever came into their mouths. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.18 (PG 65:81; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-18). ## Antony 19 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-19 - Source: PG 65:81 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony steps down from the Gospel’s command to weaker counsels for brothers who refuse each, and ends by saying they need prayer. ### Greek text Παρέβαλον ἀδελφοὶ τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀντωνίῳ, καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Εἰπὲ ἡμῖν λόγον, πῶς σωθῶμεν Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Ἠκούσατε τὴν Γραφήν; καλῶς ὑμῖν ἔχει. Οἱ δὲ εἶπον· Καὶ παρὰ σοῦ θέλομεν ἀκοῦσαι, Πάτερ. Εἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων Λέγει τὸ Εὐαγγέλιον· Ἐὰν τις σε ῥαπίσῃ εἰς τὴν δεξιὰν σιαγόνα, στρέψον αὐτῷ καὶ τὴν ἄλλην. Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ Οὐ δυνάμεθα τοῦτο ποιῆσαι. Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Εἰ μὴ δύνασθε στρέψαι καὶ τὴν ἄλλην, κἂν τὴν μίαν ὑπομείνατε. Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Οὐδὲ τοῦτο δυνάμεθα. Λέγει ὁ γέρων Εἰ οὐδὲ τοῦτο δύνασθε, μὴ δότε ἀνθ' οὗ ἐλάβετε. Καὶ εἶπον· Οὐδὲ τοῦτο δυνάμεθα. Λέγει οὖν ὁ γέρων τῷ μαθητῇ αὐτοῦ· Ποίησον' αὐτοῖς μικρὰν ἀθήραν· ἀσθενοῦσι γάρ. Εἰ τοῦτο οὐ δύνασθε, κἀκεῖνο οὐ θέλετε, τί ὑμῖν ποιήσω; Εὐχῶν χρεία. ### English translation (Claude) Brothers visited abba Antony and say to him, “Tell us a word: how may we be saved?” The old man says to them, “You have heard the Scripture? That is good for you.” But they said, “We want to hear from you too, father.” The old man said to them, “The Gospel says, ‘If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well.’” They say to him, “We cannot do that.” The old man says to them, “If you cannot turn the other also, at least bear the one blow.” They say to him, “We cannot do that either.” The old man says, “If you cannot do even that, do not repay what you have received.” And they said, “We cannot do that either.” So the old man says to his disciple, “Make them a little gruel, for they are weak.” “If you cannot do this, and do not want that, what shall I do for you? Prayers are needed.” ### Scripture references - Matt 5:39: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Matt 5:39 in Antony’s own wording. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.19 (PG 65:81; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-19). ## Antony 20 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-20 - Source: PG 65:81 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony teaches a monk who kept back money that such renunciation leaves him torn by demons. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἀποταξάμενος τῷ κόσμῳ καὶ διαδοὺς τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ πτωχοῖς, παρακατασχὼν δὲ ὀλίγα εἰς λόγον ἑαυτοῦ, παρέβαλε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀντωνίῳ. Καὶ τοῦτο μαθὼν, λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Εἰ θέλεις μοναχὸς γενέσθαι, ἄπελθε εἰς τήνδε τὴν κώμην, καὶ ἀγόρασον κρέας, καὶ περίθες τῷ σώματί σου γυμνῷ, καὶ οὕτως ἐλθὲ ἐνταῦθα. Καὶ ποιήσαντος οὕτως τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ, οἱ κύνες καὶ τὰ ὄρνεα τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ κατέτεμνον. Απαντήσαντος δὲ αὐτοῦ πρὸς τὸν γέροντα, ἐπύθετο εἰ γέγονεν ὡς συνεβούλευσεν. Ἐκείνου δὲ ἐπιδεικνυμένου τὸ σῶμα διεσπαραγμένον, λέγει ὁ ἅγιος Ἀντώνιος Οἱ ἀποταξάμενοι τῷ κόσμῳ, καὶ θέλοντες ἔχειν χρήματα, οὕτως ἀπὸ τῶν δαιμόνων κατακόπτονται πολεμούμενοι. ### English translation (Claude) A brother renounced the world and gave his possessions to the poor, but kept back a little for himself, and he visited abba Antony. When the old man learned this, he says to him, “If you want to become a monk, go to this village, buy meat, put it around your naked body, and come here like that.” When the brother did so, the dogs and the birds tore at his body. When he met the old man again, he asked whether it had happened as he had advised. As he showed his torn body, holy Antony says, “Those who renounce the world and want to keep money are torn to pieces like this by the demons who make war on them.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.20 (PG 65:81; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-20). ## Antony 21 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-21 - Source: PG 65:81–83 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony persuades a community to take back a brother who had fallen, by the image of a wrecked ship brought to land. ### Greek text Ἀδελφῷ ποτε συνέβη πειρασμὸς εἰς τὸ κοινόβιον τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἠλίτ καὶ διωχθεὶς ἐκεῖθεν ἀπῆλθεν εἰς ὄρος πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀντώνιον. Καὶ μείναντος τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ χρόνον πρὸς αὐτὸν, ἀπέστειλεν αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ κοινόβιον ὅθεν ἐξέβη. Οἱ δὲ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν, πάλιν ἐδίωξαν· ὁ δὲ ἀνέκαμψε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀντώνιον, λέγων· Οὐκ ἠθέλησάν με δέξασθαι, Πάτερ. Ἀπέστειλεν οὖν ὁ γέρων λέγων· Πλοῖον ἐναυάγησεν ἐν τῷ πελάγει, καὶ ἀπώλεσε τὸν γόμον, καὶ μετὰ καμάτου ἐσώθη ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν· ὑμεῖς δὲ τὰ σωθέντα ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν θέλετε καταποντίσαι. Οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες ὅτι ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος αὐτὸν ἀπέστειλεν, εὐθέως ἐδέξαντο αὐτόν. ### English translation (Claude) Once a brother fell into temptation in the community of abba Elias, and having been driven out from there he went to the mountain to abba Antony. After the brother had stayed with him for a time, Antony sent him back to the community he had come from. But when they saw him, they drove him out again; and he returned to abba Antony, saying, “They would not receive me, father.” So the old man sent them a message, saying, “A ship was wrecked at sea and lost its cargo, and with great labor it was brought safe to land; and you want to sink what has been saved on land.” When they heard that abba Antony had sent him, they received him at once. ### Translation notes - The scan reads Ἠλίτ for the name, probably Ἠλία (Elias). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.21 (PG 65:81–83; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-21). ## Antony 22 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-22 - Source: PG 65:83 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony distinguishes three sources of bodily (sexual) arousal: nature, overeating, and demons. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος Λογίζομαι ὅτι ἔχει τὸ σῶμα κίνησιν φυσικὴν συναναφυρεῖσαν αὐτῷ· ἀλλ᾿ οὐκ ἐνεργεῖ, μὴ θελούσης τῆς ψυχῆς· μόνον δὲ σημαίνει ἐν τῷ σώματι ἀπαθῆ κίνησιν. Ἔστι δὲ καὶ ἄλλη κίνησις, ἐκ τοῦ τρέφειν καὶ θάλπειν τὸ σῶμα βρώμασι καὶ πόμασιν· ἐξ ὧν ἡ θέρμη τοῦ αἵματος διεγείρει τὸ σῶμα πρὸς ἐνέργειαν. Διὸ καὶ ἔλεγεν ὁ Ἀπόστολος· Μὴ μεθύσκεσθε οἴνῳ, ἐν ᾧ ἐστιν ἀσωτία. Καὶ πάλιν ὁ Κύριος ἐν τῷ Εὐαγγελίῳ τοῖς μαθηταῖς ἐντελλόμενος εἶπε· Βλέπετε μήποτε βαρηθῶσιν ὑμῶν αἱ καρδίαι ἐν κραιπάλῃ καὶ μέθῃ. Ἔστι δέ τις καὶ ἑτέρα κίνησις τοῖς ἀγωνιζομένοις, ἐξ ἐπιβουλῆς καὶ φθόνου δαιμόνων ἐπιγινομένη, ὥστε εἰδέναι δεῖ, ὅτι τρεῖς εἰσι σωματικαὶ κινήσεις μία μὲν φυσικὴ, ἑτέρα δὲ ἐξ ἀδιαφορίας τροφῶν ἡ δὲ τρίτη ἀπὸ δαιμόνων. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Antony said, “I think that the body has a natural movement mixed into it, but it does not act unless the soul wills; it only signals in the body a movement without passion. There is also another movement, from feeding and warming the body with food and drink, from which the heat of the blood stirs the body to action. That is why the Apostle said, ‘Do not get drunk with wine, in which is debauchery.’ And again the Lord in the Gospel, commanding his disciples, said, ‘Take care that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness.’ There is also yet another movement in those who strive, which comes from the scheming and envy of demons. So one must know that there are three bodily movements: one natural, another from careless eating, and the third from demons.” ### Scripture references - Eph 5:18: quotation, high confidence - Luke 21:34: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotations of Eph 5:18 and Luke 21:34. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.22 (PG 65:83; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-22). ## Antony 23 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-23 - Source: PG 65:83 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: God spares the present generation the trials of the ancients because of its weakness. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς οὐκ ἀφίει τοὺς πολέμους ἐπὶ τὴν γενεὰν ταύτην, ὥσπερ ἐπὶ τῶν ἀρχαίων. Οἶδε γὰρ ὅτι ἀσθενεῖς εἰσι καὶ οὐ βαστάζουσιν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “God does not permit wars against this generation as he did against the ancients. For he knows that they are weak and cannot bear them.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.23 (PG 65:83; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-23). ## Antony 24 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-24 - Source: PG 65:83 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony learns that a city physician who gives to the needy and praises God equals him. ### Greek text Τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀντωνίῳ ἀπεκαλύφθη ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, ὅτι Ἐν τῇ πόλει ἐστί τις ὅμοιός σοι, ἰατρὸς τὴν ἐπιστήμην, τὴν περισσείαν αὐτοῦ διδοὺς τοῖς χρείαν ἔχουσι, καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν ἡμέραν τὸ Τρισάγιον ψάλλων μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων. ### English translation (Claude) It was revealed to abba Antony in the desert: “In the city there is someone like you, a physician by profession, who gives his surplus to those in need and all day long sings the Trisagion with the angels.” ### Scripture references - Isa 6:3: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The Trisagion is the hymn “Holy, holy, holy” (cf. Isa 6:3). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.24 (PG 65:83; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-24). ## Antony 25 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-25 - Source: PG 65:83 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony foretells a time when the mad will call the sane mad. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος, ὅτι Ἔρχεται καιρὸς, ἵνα οἱ ἄνθρωποι μανῶσι, καὶ ἐπὰν ἴδωσί τινα μὴ μαινόμενον, ἐπαναστήσονται αὐτῷ λέγοντες, ὅτι Σὺ μαίνῃ, διὰ τὸ μὴ εἶναι ὅμοιον αὐτοῖς. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Antony said, “A time is coming when people will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad, they will rise up against him, saying, ‘You are mad,’ because he is not like them.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.25 (PG 65:83; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-25). ## Antony 26 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-26 - Source: PG 65:83 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony prays for Moses to explain a passage of Leviticus, and a voice speaks to him. ### Greek text Ἀδελφοὶ παρέβαλον τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀντωνίῳ, καὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ ῥῆμα τοῦ Λευϊτικοῦ. Ἐξῆλθεν οὖν ὁ γέρων εἰς τὴν ἔρημον, καὶ ἠκολούθησεν αὐτῷ ἀββᾶς Αμμωνᾶς κρυφῆ, εἰδὼς τὴν συνήθειαν αὐτοῦ. Καὶ μακρύνας πολὺ ὁ γέρων, στὰς εἰς προσευχὴν ἔκραξε φωνῇ μεγάλῃ· Ὁ Θεὸς, ἀπόστειλον τὸν Μωϋσῆν, καὶ διδάξει με τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο. Καὶ ἦλθεν αὐτῷ φωνή λαλοῦσα μετ' αὐτοῦ. Εἶπεν οὖν ὁ ἀββᾶς Αμμωνᾶς, ὅτι Τὴν μὲν φωνὴν ἤκουσα τὴν λαλοῦσαν μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ, τὴν δὲ δύναμιν τοῦ λόγου οὐκ ἔμαθον. ### English translation (Claude) Brothers visited abba Antony and told him a word from Leviticus. So the old man went out into the desert, and abba Ammonas followed him secretly, knowing his custom. Having gone a long way off, the old man stood to pray and cried with a loud voice, “O God, send Moses, and he will teach me this word.” And a voice came to him, speaking with him. Abba Ammonas said, “I heard the voice that spoke with him, but I did not learn the meaning of the word.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.26 (PG 65:83; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-26). ## Antony 27 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-27 - Source: PG 65:83 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A father who never asks Antony anything says that seeing him is enough. ### Greek text Τρεῖς τῶν Πατέρων εἶχον ἔθος κατ' ἐνιαυτὸν ὑπάγειν προς τὸν μακάριον Ἀντώνιον· καὶ οἱ μὲν δύο ἠρώτων αὐτὸν περὶ λογισμῶν καὶ σωτηρίας ψυχῆς· ὁ δὲ εἷς πάντα ἐσιώπα μηδὲν ἐρωτῶν. Μετὰ δὲ πολὺν χρόνον λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος· Ἰδοὺ τοσοῦτον χρόνον ἔχεις ἐρχόμενος ὧδε, καὶ οὐδὲν ἐρωτᾷς με. Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἀρκεῖ μοι μόνον τοῦ βλέπειν σε, Πάτερ. ### English translation (Claude) Three of the Fathers had the custom of going to blessed Antony every year; two of them would ask him about thoughts and the salvation of the soul, but the third was always silent and asked nothing. After a long time abba Antony says to him, “Look, you have been coming here for so long, and you ask me nothing.” And he answered him, “It is enough for me just to see you, father.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.27 (PG 65:83; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-27). ## Antony 28 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-28 - Source: PG 65:83–85 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: In a vision of the Fathers, Antony is said to be where God is. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον, ὅτι τις τῶν γερόντων ἠρώτησε τὸν Θεὸν ἰδεῖν τοὺς Πατέρας καὶ εἶδεν αὐτοὺς χωρὶς τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀντωνίου. Λέγει οὖν τῷ δεικνύοντι αὐτῷ· Ποῦ ἐστιν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, ὅτι εἰς τὸν τόπον ὅπου ὁ Θεὸς, ἐκεῖ ἐστιν. ### English translation (Claude) They said that one of the old men asked God to see the Fathers, and he saw them without abba Antony. So he says to the one who was showing him, “Where is abba Antony?” And he said to him, “He is in the place where God is.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.28 (PG 65:83–85; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-28). ## Antony 29 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-29 - Source: PG 65:85 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Paphnutius’s parable of the man pushed deeper into the mud shames brothers who had falsely accused one of their own. ### Greek text Ἐσυκοφαντήθη ἀδελφὸς εἰς κοινόβιον περὶ πορνείας, καὶ ἀναστὰς ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀντώνιον· καὶ ἦλθον οἱ ἀδελφοὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ κοινοβίου θεραπεῦσαι αὐτὸν καὶ λαβεῖν· καὶ ἤρξαντο ἐλέγχειν ὅτι Οὕτως ἐποίησας. Ὁ δὲ ἀπελογεῖτο ὅτι Οὐδὲν τοιοῦτον ἐποίησα. Εὐκαίρησε δὲ ἐκεῖ ὁ ἀββᾶς Παφνούτιος ὁ Κεφαλᾶς, καὶ εἶπε παραβολὴν τοιαύτην· Εἶδον εἰς τὴν ὄχθαν τοῦ ποταμοῦ ἄνθρωπον βληθέντα εἰς βόρβορον ἕως τῶν γονάτων αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐλθόντες τινὲς δοῦναι αὐτῷ χεῖρα κατεπόντισαν αὐτὸν ἕως τοῦ τραχήλου. Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Παφνουτίου· Ἰδοὺ ἄνθρωπος ἀληθινὸς, δυνάμενος θεραπεῦσαι καὶ σῶσαι ψυχάς. Κατανυγέντες οὖν τῷ λόγῳ τῶν γερόντων, ἔβαλον μετάνοιαν τῷ ἀδελφῷ. Καὶ παρακληθέντες ὑπὸ τῶν Πατέρων ἕλαον τὸν ἀδελφὸν εἰς τὸ κοινόβιον. ### English translation (Claude) A brother in a community was falsely accused of sexual immorality, and he got up and went to abba Antony. And the brothers from the community came to restore him and take him back, and they began to accuse him: “You did this.” But he defended himself: “I did nothing of the kind.” Abba Paphnutius Cephalas happened to be there, and he told this parable: “I saw on the bank of the river a man who had sunk into the mud up to his knees; and some people came to give him a hand and sank him up to his neck.” And abba Antony says to them about abba Paphnutius, “Here is a true man, able to heal and save souls.” Pierced to the heart by the word of the old men, they made a prostration of repentance to the brother. And, urged by the Fathers, they took the brother back to the community. ### Translation notes - The scan has ἕλαον for ἔλαβον (“took”). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.29 (PG 65:85; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-29). ## Antony 30 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-30 - Source: PG 65:85 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony is said to have been Spirit-bearing and to have known present and future events. ### Greek text Ἔλεγόν τινες περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀντωνίου, ὅτι γέγονε Πνευματοφόρος, ἀλλ᾿ οὐκ ἤθελε λαλεῖν διὰ τοὺς ἀνθρώπους· καὶ γὰρ τὰ γινόμενα ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ καὶ τὰ μέλλοντα ἐλθεῖν ἐμήνυεν. ### English translation (Claude) Some said of abba Antony that he had become Spirit-bearing, but that he did not want to speak because of people; for he used to disclose what was happening in the world and what was going to come. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.30 (PG 65:85; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-30). ## Antony 31 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-31 - Source: PG 65:85 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony’s disciple advises him not to answer the emperor’s summons to Constantinople. ### Greek text Ποτὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος ἐδέξατο Κωνσταντίου τοῦ βασιλέως γράμματα, ἵνα ἔλθῃ εἰς Κωνσταντινούπολιν· καὶ ἐσκόπει τί ποιῆσαι. Λέγει οὖν τῷ ἀββᾷ Παύλῳ τῷ μαθητῇ αὐτοῦ· Ωφειλον ἀπελθεῖν; Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἐὰν ἀπέλθῃς, Ἀντώνιος λέγῃ· εἰ δὲ μὴ ἀπέλθῃς, ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Antony received letters from the emperor Constantius asking him to come to Constantinople, and he was considering what to do. So he says to abba Paul, his disciple, “Should I go?” And he says to him, “If you go, you will be called Antony; but if you do not go, abba Antony.” ### Translation notes - Some witnesses name Constantine rather than Constantius (cf. Athanasius, Life of Antony 81). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.31 (PG 65:85; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-31). ## Antony 32 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-32 - Source: PG 65:85 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony says that he no longer fears God but loves him. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος· Ἐγὼ οὐκέτι φοβοῦμαι τὸν Θεὸν ἀλλ᾿ ἀγαπῶ αὐτόν Ἡ γὰρ ἀγάπη ἔξω βάλλει τὸν φόβον. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Antony said, “I no longer fear God, but I love him. For love casts out fear.” ### Scripture references - 1 John 4:18: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of 1 John 4:18. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.32 (PG 65:85; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-32). ## Antony 33 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-33 - Source: PG 65:85 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony urges the fear of God, hatred of the world, and a life of hunger, vigil, and mourning. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς εἶπε· Πρὸ ὀφθαλμῶν ἔχε πάντοτε τὸν φόβον τοῦ Θεοῦ. Μνημόνευε τοῦ θανατοῦντος καὶ ζωογονοῦντος. Μισήσατε τὸν κόσμον καὶ πάντα τὰ ἐν αὐτῷ. Μισήσατε πᾶσαν σαρκικὴν ἀνάπαυσιν. Ἀποτάξασθε τῇ ζωῇ ταύτῃ, ἵνα ζήσητε τῷ Θεῷ. Μνημονεύετε τί ἐπηγγείλασθε τῷ Θεῷ· ζητεῖ γὰρ αὐτὸ παρ᾽ ὑμῶν ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως. Πεινάσατε, διψήσατε, γυμνητεύσατε, ἀγρυπνήσατε, πενθήσατε, κλαύσατε, στενάξατε τῇ καρδίᾳ ὑμῶν· δοκιμάσατε εἰ ἄξιοί ἐστε τοῦ Θεοῦ· καταφρονήσατε τῆς σαρκὸς, ἵνα σώσητε ὑμῶν τὰς ψυχάς. ### English translation (Claude) The same said, “Always have the fear of God before your eyes. Remember the one who puts to death and gives life. Hate the world and all that is in it. Hate all bodily comfort. Renounce this life, so that you may live to God. Remember what you promised God; for he will require it of you on the day of judgment. Hunger, thirst, go naked, keep vigil, mourn, weep, groan in your heart; test whether you are worthy of God; despise the flesh, so that you may save your souls.” ### Scripture references - 1 Sam 2:6: echo, low confidence - 1 John 2:15: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.33 (PG 65:85; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-33). ## Antony 34 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-34 - Source: PG 65:85–87 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony and Amoun fix the site of the Cells at a day’s walk from Nitria. ### Greek text Παρέβαλέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀμοῦν εἰς τὸ ὄρος τῆς Νιτρίας, καὶ μετὰ τὸ συντυχεῖν ἀλλήλοις, λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀμοῦν· Ἐπειδὴ διὰ τῶν εὐχῶν σου ἐπληθύνθησαν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ, καὶ θέλουσί τινες αὐτῶν οἰκοδομῆσαι κελλία μακρὰν ἵνα ἡσυχάσωσι, πόσον κελεύεις ἵνα ἀπέχῃ διάστημα τὰ κτιζόμενα κελλία τῶν ἐνταῦθα; Ὁ δὲ εἶπε· Γευσώμεθα ὥραν ἐνάτην, καὶ ἐξέλθωμεν, καὶ διακινήσωμεν τὴν ἔρημον, καὶ σκοποῦμεν τὸν τόπον. Ὡς δὲ ὧδευσαν τὴν ἔρημον ἕως οὗ ἐλθεῖν δῦναι τὸν ἥλιον, λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος· Ποιήσωμεν εὐχὴν καὶ στήσωμεν ὧδε σταυρὸν ἵνα ὧδε κτίσωσιν οἱ θέλοντες κτίσαι, ἵνα καὶ οἱ ἐκεῖθεν, ὅταν παραβάλωσι τούτοις, γευσάμενοι τὸ μικρὸν βουκὶν αὐτῶν ὥραν ἐνάτην, οὕτως παραβάλωσι, καὶ οἱ ἔνθεν ἀπερχόμενοι, τὸ αὐτὸ ποιοῦντες, ἀπερίσπαστοι μένωσιν ἐν τῷ παραβάλλειν ἀλλήλοις. Ἔστι δὲ τὸ διάστημα σημεία δεκαδύο. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Antony visited abba Amoun on the mountain of Nitria, and after they had met, abba Amoun says to him, “Since through your prayers the brothers have multiplied, and some of them want to build cells far off so as to live in stillness, how far do you direct that the cells being built should be from the ones here?” He said, “Let us eat at the ninth hour, go out, walk through the desert, and look at the place.” They walked through the desert until the sun was about to set, and abba Antony says to him, “Let us pray and set up a cross here, so that those who want to build may build here, so that when those from there visit these, after eating their little bit of bread at the ninth hour they may come over, and those going from here may do the same, and so they may remain undistracted in visiting one another.” The distance is twelve miles. ### Translation notes - The Cells (Kellia) lay south of Nitria. βουκίον is a small piece of bread. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.34 (PG 65:85–87; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-34). ## Antony 35 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-35 - Source: PG 65:87 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: As a smith plans what he will forge, a monk must decide which virtue he pursues. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος· Ὁ τύπτων τὸ μαζὶν τοῦ σιδήρου, πρῶτον σκοπεῖ τὸν λογισμὸν τί μέλλει ποιεῖν, δρέπανον, μάχαιραν, πέλυκα. Οὕτως καὶ ἡμεῖς ὀφείλομεν λογίζεσθαι ποίαν ἀρετὴν μετερχόμεθα, ἵνα μὴ εἰς κενὸν κοπιάσωμεν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Antony said, “The one who hammers a lump of iron first considers in his mind what he is going to make: a sickle, a sword, or an axe. So we too must consider what virtue we are pursuing, so that we do not labor in vain.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.35 (PG 65:87; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-35). ## Antony 36 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-36 - Source: PG 65:87 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Obedience with self-control tames wild beasts. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι ἡ ὑποταγὴ μετὰ ἐγκρατείας ὑποτάσσει θηρία. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Obedience joined with self-control subdues wild beasts.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.36 (PG 65:87; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-36). ## Antony 37 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-37 - Source: PG 65:87 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Monks who trust their own labors and do not seek counsel fall into delusion. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Οἶδα μοναχοὺς μετὰ πολλοὺς κόπους πεσόντας, καὶ εἰς ἔκστασιν φρενῶν ἐλθόντας, διὰ τὸ ἡλπικέναι ἐπὶ τὸ ἔργον αὐτῶν, καὶ παραλογισαμένους τὴν ἐντολὴν τοῦ εἰπόντος· Ἐπερώτησον τὸν πατέρα σου, καὶ ἀναγγελεῖ σοι. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “I know monks who fell after many labors and came to derangement of mind, because they had put their hope in their own work and had disregarded the commandment of the one who said, ‘Ask your father, and he will tell you.’” ### Scripture references - Deut 32:7: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Deut 32:7. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.37 (PG 65:87; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-37). ## Antony 38 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-1/#p-1-38 - Source: PG 65:87 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A monk should disclose even the smallest details of his life to the elders. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Εἰ δυνατὸν, ὅσα βήματα βάλλει ὁ μοναχὸς, ἢ ὅσας σταγόνας πίνει εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ, ὀφείλει θαῤῥεῖν τοῖς γέρουσιν, εἱ ἄρα οὐ πταίει ἐν αὐτοῖς. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “If possible, a monk ought to entrust to the old men how many steps he takes, or how many drops he drinks in his cell, in case he is going wrong in them.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 1.38 (PG 65:87; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/1-38). ## Arsenius (unnumbered opening text) - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-0 - Source: PG 65:87 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A stray line printed before Arsenius’s first saying; it is the end of that saying. ### Greek text τοὺς ἀνθρώπους, καὶ σώζῃ. ### English translation (Claude) … men, and you will be saved. ### Translation notes - These words stand in the scan before the first numbered saying of Arsenius. They are the missing end of Arsenius 1 (“Arsenius, flee men, and you will be saved”). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.0 (PG 65:87; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0). ## Arsenius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-1 - Source: PG 65:87 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: In the palace Arsenius prays to be shown how to be saved and is told to flee. ### Greek text Ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος ἔτι ὧν ἐν τῷ παλατίῳ, εὔξατο τῷ Θεῷ λέγων· Κύριε, ὁδήγησόν με πῶς σωθῶ. Καὶ ἦλθεν αὐτῷ φωνὴ λέγουσα· Ἀρσένιε, φεύγε Ἔκλεπτεν ὁ ἀδελφὸς ἐκεῖνος βουκκία, φοινίκια, ### English translation (Claude) While abba Arsenius was still in the palace, he prayed to God, saying, “Lord, guide me how I may be saved.” And a voice came to him, saying, “Arsenius, flee …” [Stray line from another saying: “That brother was stealing bread rolls, dates, …”] ### Translation notes - The end of the voice’s words (“men, and you will be saved”) is displaced in the scan to the text before the first numeral (2.0). The words that follow “flee” here come from another saying (a brother who stole bread and dates) and are marked as stray. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.1 (PG 65:87; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-1). ## Arsenius 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-2 - Source: PG 65:87 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: As a hermit Arsenius is told to flee, keep silence, and be still. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἀναχωρήσας ἐν τῷ μονήρει βίῳ, πάλιν εὔξατο, τὸν αὐτὸν λόγον εἰπών. Καὶ ἤκουσε φωνῆς λεγούσης αὐτῷ· Ἀρσένιε, φεῦγε, σιώπα, ἡσύχαζε αὗται γάρ εἰσιν αἱ ῥίζαι τῆς ἀναμαρτησίας. ### English translation (Claude) When he had withdrawn to the solitary life, he prayed again, saying the same words. And he heard a voice saying to him, “Arsenius, flee, be silent, be still; for these are the roots of sinlessness.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.2 (PG 65:87; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-2). ## Arsenius 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-3 - Source: PG 65:87 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Assailed by demons, Arsenius prays to God for grace to make a beginning of good. ### Greek text Ἐπέστησάν ποτε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀρσενίῳ οἱ δαίμονες ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ θλίβοντες αὐτόν. Παραβαλόντες δὲ οἱ διακονοῦντες αὐτῷ, καὶ στάντες ἔξω τῆς κέλλης, ἤκουσαν αὐτοῦ βοῶντος πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν καὶ λέγοντος Ὁ Θεὸς, μὴ ἐγκαταλίπῃς με οὐδὲν ἐποίησα ἐνώπιόν σου ἀγαθόν· ἀλλὰ δός μοι κατὰ τὴν χρηστότητά σου βαλεῖν ἀρχήν. ### English translation (Claude) Once the demons came upon abba Arsenius in his cell, afflicting him. Those who served him came by, and standing outside the cell they heard him crying out to God and saying, “O God, do not forsake me. I have done nothing good before you; but grant me, according to your goodness, to make a beginning.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.3 (PG 65:87; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-3). ## Arsenius 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-4 - Source: PG 65:87 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius wore the finest clothes at court and the poorest in the church. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ὥσπερ οὐδεὶς τοῦ παλατίου ἐφόρει βελτίονα αὐτοῦ ἐσθῆτα οὕτως οὐδὲ εἰς τὴν Ἐκκλησίαν εὐτελεστέραν τις αὐτοῦ ἐφόρει. ### English translation (Claude) They said of him that just as no one in the palace wore finer clothing than he, so in the church no one wore poorer. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.4 (PG 65:87; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-4). ## Arsenius 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-5 - Source: PG 65:87–89 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius says the Egyptian peasants won their virtues by labor, not learning. ### Greek text Εἶπέ τις τῷ μακαρίῳ Ἀρσενίῳ· Πῶς ἡμεῖς ἀπὸ τοσαύτης παιδεύσεως καὶ σοφίας οὐδὲν ἔχομεν, οὗτοι δὲ οἱ αγροῖκοι καὶ Αἰγύπτιοι τοσαύτας ἀρετὰς κέκτηνται; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος· Ἡμεῖς ἀπὸ τῆς τοῦ κόσμου παιδεύσεως οὐδὲν ἔχομεν· οὗτοι δὲ οἱ ἀγροῖκοι καὶ Αἰγύπτιοι ἀπὸ τῶν ἰδίων πόνων ἐκτήσαντο τὰς ἀρετάς. ### English translation (Claude) Someone said to blessed Arsenius, “How is it that we, with so much education and wisdom, have nothing, while these peasants and Egyptians have acquired so many virtues?” Abba Arsenius says to him, “We have nothing from the world’s education; but these peasants and Egyptians have acquired the virtues by their own labors.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.5 (PG 65:87–89; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-5). ## Arsenius 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-6 - Source: PG 65:89 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Learned Arsenius says he has not yet learned the alphabet of an Egyptian peasant monk. ### Greek text Ἑρωτῶντός ποτε τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀρσενίου τινὰ γέροντα Αἰγύπτιον περὶ ἰδίων λογισμῶν, ἕτερος ἰδὼν αὐτὸν εἶπεν· Ἀ̓ββᾶ Ἀρσένιε, πῶς τοσαύτην παίδευσιν Ῥωμαϊκὴν καὶ Ἑλληνικὴν ἐπιστάμενος, τοῦτον τὸν ἀγροῖκον περὶ τῶν σῶν λογισμῶν ἐρωτᾷς; Ὁ δὲ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· Τὴν μὲν Ῥωμαϊκὴν καὶ Ἑλληνικὴν ἐπίσταμαι παίδευσιν· τὸν δὲ ἀλφάβητον τοῦ ἀγροίκου τούτου οὔπω μεμάθηκα. ### English translation (Claude) Once when abba Arsenius was asking an Egyptian old man about his own thoughts, someone else saw him and said, “Abba Arsenius, how is it that you, who know so much Latin and Greek learning, ask this peasant about your thoughts?” He said to him, “I know the Latin and Greek learning; but I have not yet learned the alphabet of this peasant.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.6 (PG 65:89; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-6). ## Arsenius 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-7 - Source: PG 65:89 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius tells archbishop Theophilus to keep away from wherever he is. ### Greek text Παρέβαλέ ποτε ὁ μακάριος Θεόφιλος ἀρχιεπίσκοπος τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀρσενίῳ, μετὰ ἄρχοντός τινος ἠρώτα δὲ τὸν γέροντα, ἀκοῦσαι παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ λόγον. Μικρὸν δὲ σιωπήσας ὁ γέρων, ἀπεκρίνατο πρὸς αὐτὸν· Καὶ ἐὰν ὑμῖν εἴπω, φυλάσσετε; Οἱ δὲ συνέθεντο φυλάττειν. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· ὅπου ἐὰν ἀκούσητε Αρσένιον, μὴ πλησιάσητε. ### English translation (Claude) Once the blessed archbishop Theophilus visited abba Arsenius with a certain official, and asked the old man to hear a word from him. After a short silence the old man answered him, “If I tell you, will you keep it?” They agreed to keep it. And the old man said to them, “Wherever you hear that Arsenius is, do not come near.” ### Translation notes - Theophilus was archbishop of Alexandria (385–412). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.7 (PG 65:89; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-7). ## Arsenius 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-8 - Source: PG 65:89 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theophilus gives up visiting Arsenius rather than drive him from his place. ### Greek text "Αλλοτε πάλιν βουληθεὶς ὁ ἀρχιεπίσκοπος παραβαλεῖν αὐτῷ, ἀπέστειλε πρῶτον εἰδέναι εἰ ἀνοίγει ὁ γέρων. Καὶ ἐδήλωσεν αὐτῷ λέγων· Ἐὰν ἔλθῃς, ἀνοίγω σοι καὶ ἐὰν σοι ἀνοίξω, πᾶσιν ἀνοίγω· καὶ τότε οὐκέτι καθέζομαι ὧδε. Ταῦτα ἀκούσας ὁ ἀρχιεπίσκοπος εἶπεν· Εἰ διῶξαι αὐτὸν ἀπέρχομαι, οὐκ ἔτι ἀπέρχομαι πρὸς αὐτόν. ### English translation (Claude) Another time the archbishop, wanting to visit him, first sent to find out whether the old man would open to him. And he let him know, saying, “If you come, I will open to you; and if I open to you, I open to everyone; and then I will no longer live here.” When the archbishop heard this, he said, “If I go to drive him away, I will not go to him anymore.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.8 (PG 65:89; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-8). ## Arsenius 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-9 - Source: PG 65:89 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius counsels striving for inner work according to God. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τον ἀββᾶν Ἀρσένιον ἀκοῦσαι παρ' αὐτοῦ λόγον. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ὅση δύναμίς σοί ἐστιν, ἀγώνισαι, ἵνα ἡ ἔνδον σου ἐργασία κατὰ Θεὸν ᾖ, καὶ νικήσῃ τὰ ἔξω πάθη. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Arsenius to hear a word from him. And the old man said to him, “With all the strength you have, strive that your inner work may be according to God, and it will overcome the outer passions.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.9 (PG 65:89; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-9). ## Arsenius 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-10 - Source: PG 65:89 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: God appears to those who seek him and stays with those who hold him. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἐὰν τὸν Θεὸν ζητήσωμεν, φανήσεται ἡμῖν· καὶ ἐὰν αὐτὸν κατάσχωμεν, παραμενεῖ ἡμῖν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “If we seek God, he will appear to us; and if we hold him fast, he will stay with us.” ### Scripture references - Jer 29:13: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.10 (PG 65:89; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-10). ## Arsenius 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-11 - Source: PG 65:89 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius tells a tempted brother that he may do anything except leave his cell. ### Greek text Εἶπέ τις τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀρσενίῳ· Οἱ λογισμοί μου θλίβουσί με λέγοντες· Οὐ δύνασαι νηστεύειν οὐδὲ ἐργάσασθαι· κἂν ἐπισκέπτου τοὺς ἀσθενοῦντας καὶ τοῦτο γὰρ ἀγάπη ἐστίν. Ὁ δὲ γέρων εἰδὼς τὰς σπορὰς τῶν δαιμόνων, λέγει αὐτῷ· Ὕπαγε, φάγε, πίε, κοιμῶ, καὶ μὴ ἐργάσῃ· μόνον τοῦ κελλίου μὴ ἀποστῇς. Ἤδει γὰρ ὅτι ἡ ὑπομονὴ τοῦ κελλίου φέρει τὸν μοναχὸν εἰς τὴν τάξιν αὐτοῦ ### English translation (Claude) Someone said to abba Arsenius, “My thoughts afflict me, saying, ‘You cannot fast or work; at least visit the sick, for that too is love.’” But the old man, knowing the seeds sown by the demons, says to him, “Go, eat, drink, sleep, and do not work; only do not leave your cell.” For he knew that perseverance in the cell brings the monk to his proper order. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.11 (PG 65:89; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-11). ## Arsenius 12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-12 - Source: PG 65:89 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius forbids a stranger to meddle; a story follows of a monk who mastered his thoughts little by little. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος, ὅτι ξένος μοναχὸς εἰς ἀλλοτρίαν χώραν μηδὲν μεσαζέτω. καὶ ἀναπαύεται. καὶ εὑρὼν μικρὰ θαλλία, ἔσχισεν αὐτά· καὶ πάλιν τῇ ἑξῆς ἤρξατο πλέκειν αὐτά· καὶ πεινάσας, εἶπεν Ἰδοὺ ἄλλα μικρὰ θαλλία εἰσὶν, καὶ ἐσθίω. Καὶ ὡς ἐποίησεν τὰ θαλλία, εἶπεν πάλιν· Ἀναγινώσκω μικρὸν, καὶ οὕ κρὸν, καὶ οὕτως ἐσθίω. Καὶ ὡς ἀνέγνω, λέγει· Ποι μου τοὺς μικροὺς ψαλμοὺς, καὶ μετὰ ἀμεριμνίας ἐσθίω. Καὶ οὕτως κατὰ μικρὸν προέκοπτεν, τοῦ Θεοῦ συνεργοῦντος, ἕως οὗ ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν τάξιν αὐτοῦ. Καὶ θάρσος λαβὼν κατὰ τῶν λογισμῶν, ἐνίκα αὐτούς. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Arsenius used to say, “A foreign monk in a strange land should not meddle in anything, and he is at rest.” … And finding a few palm leaves, he split them; and again the next day he began to plait them; and when he grew hungry he said, “Look, there are a few more palm leaves, and then I will eat.” And when he had finished the palm leaves, he said again, “I will read a little, and then I will eat.” And when he had read, he says, “I will say my little psalms, and then I will eat without care.” And so, little by little, with God’s help, he made progress until he came to his proper order. And taking courage against his thoughts, he overcame them. ### Translation notes - The scan joins Arsenius’s short saying to the end of a story about a monk who overcame his thoughts step by step, whose beginning is lost (“…”). The repeated words “οὕ κρὸν, καὶ” and the garbled “Ποι μου” (probably “I will do”, i.e. say) are translated by sense. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.12 (PG 65:89; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-12). ## Arsenius 13 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-13 - Source: PG 65:91 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius explains he flees people because he cannot be with God and men at once. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μάρκος τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀρσενίῳ Διατί φεύγεις ἡμᾶς; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ὁ Θεὸς οἶδεν, ὅτι ἀγαπῶ ὑμᾶς· ἀλλ' οὐ δύναμαι εἶναι μετὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ μετὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων. Αἱ ἄνω χιλιάδες καὶ μυριάδες ἓν θέλημα ἔχουσιν, οἱ δὲ ἄνθρωποι πολλὰ θελήματα ἔχουσιν. Οὐ δύναμαι οὖν ἀφεῖναι τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ ἐλθεῖν μετὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Mark said to abba Arsenius, “Why do you flee from us?” The old man says to him, “God knows that I love you; but I cannot be with God and with men. The thousands and tens of thousands above have one will, but men have many wills. So I cannot leave God and come to be with men.” ### Scripture references - Dan 7:10: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.13 (PG 65:91; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-13). ## Arsenius 14 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-14 - Source: PG 65:91 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius kept vigil all night and slept only briefly sitting at dawn. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Δανιὴλ περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀρσενίου, ὅτι ὅλην τὴν νύκτα διετέλει ἀγρυπνῶν· καὶ ὅτε ἦλθε περὶ τὸ πρωὶ διὰ τὴν φύσιν καθευδῆσαι, ἔλεγε τῷ ὕπνῳ· Δεῦρο, κακὲ δοῦλε· καὶ ἥρπαζε μικρὸν καθεζόμενος, καὶ εὐθέως ἠγείρετο. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Daniel said of abba Arsenius that he spent the whole night keeping vigil; and when toward morning nature required him to sleep, he would say to sleep, “Come, wicked servant”; and he would snatch a little sleep sitting, and at once get up. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.14 (PG 65:91; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-14). ## Arsenius 15 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-15 - Source: PG 65:91 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: One hour of sleep suffices for a monk who is a true fighter. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος, ὅτι ἀρκετὸν τῷ μοναχῷ, ἵνα κοιμᾶται μίαν ὥραν, ἐὰν ἡ ἀγωνιστής ### English translation (Claude) Abba Arsenius used to say that one hour of sleep is enough for a monk, if he is a fighter. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.15 (PG 65:91; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-15). ## Arsenius 16 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-16 - Source: PG 65:91 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius stays away from the assembly because he was left out of a gift of figs, and the brothers learn humility. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον οἱ γέροντες, ὅτι ἐδόθη ποτὲ εἰς Σκῆτιν πρὸς ὀλίγα ἰσχάδια, καὶ ὡς μηδὲν ὄντα, οὐκ ἀπέστειλαν τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀρσενίῳ, ὡς ἵνα μὴ ὕβριν πάθῃ. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἀκούσας οὐκ ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν σύναξιν, λέγων· Ἀφορίσατέ με τοῦ μὴ δοῦναί μοι τὴν εὐλογίαν ἄξιος λαβεῖν. Καὶ ἤκουσαν πάντες καὶ ὠφελήθησαν εἰς τὴν ταπείνωσιν τοῦ γέροντος. Καὶ ἀπελθὼν ὁ πρεσβύτερος ἀπήνεγκεν αὐτῷ τὰ ἰσχάδια, καὶ ἤνεγκεν αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν σύναξιν μετὰ χαρᾶς. ### English translation (Claude) The old men said that once a few dried figs were given at Scetis, and because they were of no account, they did not send any to abba Arsenius, so that he would not be insulted. When the old man heard of it, he did not come to the synaxis, saying, “You have excommunicated me by not giving me the blessing … worthy to receive.” And everyone heard it and was helped by the old man’s humility. And the presbyter went and took him the dried figs, and brought him to the synaxis with joy. ### Translation notes - Words are lost in the scan before “worthy to receive” (in other copies: “the blessing that God sent to the brothers, which I was not worthy to receive”); not supplied. The synaxis is the community’s gathering for worship. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.16 (PG 65:91; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-16). ## Arsenius 17 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-17 - Source: PG 65:91 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius lived a year on one basket of grain and still shared it with visitors. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Δανιήλ, ὅτι Τοσαῦτα ἔτη ἔμεινε μεθ᾽ ἡμῶν, καὶ μόνον θαλλὶν σίτου ἐποιοῦμεν αὐτῷ τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ· καὶ ὅτε παρεβάλομεν αὐτῷ, ἐξ αὐτοῦ ἡσθίομεν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Daniel said, “He stayed with us so many years, and we made him only a basket of grain for the year; and when we visited him, we ate from it.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.17 (PG 65:91; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-17). ## Arsenius 18 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-18 - Source: PG 65:91 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius endured the stench of his rotting palm-leaf water in exchange for the perfumes of his former life. ### Greek text Ἔλεγε πάλιν περὶ τοῦ αὐτοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀρσενίου, ὅτι εἰ μὴ ἅπαξ τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ οὐκ ἤλλασσε τὸ ὕδωρ τῶν βαΐων, ἀλλὰ μόνον προσετίθει· ἔπλεκε γὰρ σειρὰν καὶ ἔῤῥαπτεν ἕως ὥρας ἕκτης. Καὶ παρεκάλεσαν αὐτὸν οἱ γέροντες λέγοντες· Διατί οὐκ ἀλλάσσεις τὸ ὕδωρ τῶν βαΐων, ὅτι ὅζει; Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Ὅτι ἀντὶ τῶν θυμιαμάτων καὶ τῶν ἀρωμάτων ὧν ἀπἐλαυσα ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, χρὴ ἀπολαβεῖν με τὴν ὀσμὴν ταύτην ### English translation (Claude) He also said of the same abba Arsenius that he did not change the water for his palm leaves except once a year, but only added to it; for he plaited rope and sewed until the sixth hour. And the old men urged him, saying, “Why do you not change the water for the palm leaves, since it stinks?” And he said to them, “In place of the incense and perfumes I enjoyed in the world, I must take this smell.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.18 (PG 65:91; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-18). ## Arsenius 19 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-19 - Source: PG 65:91 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius tasted each fruit once a year, giving thanks. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι ὡς ἤκουεν ὅτι ἐτελέσθη πᾶν γένος ὀπώρας, ἔλεγεν ἀφ᾿ ἑαυτοῦ· Φέρετέ μοι. Καὶ ἐγεύετο ἅπαξ μόνον ἀπὸ πάντων μικρὸν, εὐχαριστῶν τῷ Θεῷ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said that when he heard that every kind of fruit had ripened, he would say of his own accord, “Bring me some.” And he would taste a little of each, once only, giving thanks to God. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.19 (PG 65:91; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-19). ## Arsenius 20 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-20 - Source: PG 65:91–93 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sick and poor, Arsenius thanks God for being counted worthy to receive alms. ### Greek text Ἠσθένησε ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος εἰς Σκῆτιν, ἔχων ὅθεν ἀγοράσαι, ἔλαβε παρά τινος ἀγάπην, καὶ ἓν σίτου εἶπεν· Εὐχαριστῶ σοι, Κύριε, ὅτι ἡξίωσάς με λαβεῖν ἀγάπην διὰ τὸ ὄνομά σου. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Arsenius fell ill at Scetis, … having nothing with which to buy, he received something as alms from someone, and one … and said, “I thank you, Lord, that you have counted me worthy to receive alms for your name’s sake.” ### Translation notes - The scan is damaged: a negative (“not having”) and the object (in other copies a linen cloth) are lost; not supplied. A line from Migne’s notes is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.20 (PG 65:91–93; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-20). ## Arsenius 21 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-21 - Source: PG 65:93 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: When Scetis was sacked, Arsenius mourned it as the world mourned Rome. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι εἶχε τὸ διάστημα τοῦ κελλίου αὐτοῦ μίλια τριακονταδύο· οὐκ ἐξήρχετο δὲ ταχέως· ἄλλοι γὰρ ἐποίουν αὐτῷ τὸ διακόνημα. Ὅτε δὲ ἠρημώθη ἡ Σκῆτις, ἐξῆλθε κλαίων, καὶ ἔλεγεν. Ἀπώλεσεν ὁ κόσμος τὴν Ῥώμην, καὶ οἱ μοναχοὶ τὴν Σκῆτιν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of him that the distance to his cell was thirty-two miles, and he did not readily go out, for others did his errands for him. When Scetis was laid waste, he went out weeping and said, “The world has lost Rome, and the monks Scetis.” ### Translation notes - Scetis was raided by barbarians in 407–408; Rome fell to Alaric in 410. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.21 (PG 65:93; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-21). ## Arsenius 22 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-22 - Source: PG 65:93 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius says renouncing every comfort is good only according to one’s strength. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μάρκος τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀρσένιον λέγων: Καλὸν τὸ μὴ ἔχειν τινὰ ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ αὐτοῦ παράκλησιν εἶδον γὰρ ἀδελφόν τινα ἔχοντα μικρὰ λάχανα, καὶ ἐκριζοῦντα αὐτά. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος: Καλὸν μὲν ἐστιν, ἀλλὰ πρὸς τὴν ἕξιν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου· ἐὰν γὰρ μὴ ἔχῃ ἰσχὺν ἐν τῷ τοιούτῳ τρόπῳ, πάλιν φυτεύει ἄλλα. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Mark asked abba Arsenius, “Is it good for someone to have nothing in his cell for his comfort? For I saw a brother who had a few vegetables and was pulling them up.” And abba Arsenius said, “It is good, but according to the person’s state; for if he does not have the strength for such a way of life, he will plant others again.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.22 (PG 65:93; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-22). ## Arsenius 23 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-23 - Source: PG 65:93 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius mistakes a monk lying at ease in pain for a layman. ### Greek text Διηγήσατο ὁ ἀββᾶς Δανιὴλ ὁ μαθητὴς τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀρσενίου λέγων, ὅτι Εὑρέθην ποτὲ ἐγγὺς τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀλεξάνδρου· καὶ ἐκράτησεν αὐτὸν πόνος, καὶ ἤπλωσεν αὐτὸν ἄνω βλέπων διὰ τὸν πόνον. Συνέβη δὲ τὸν μακάριον Ἀρσένιον ἐλθεῖν τοῦ λαλῆσαι αὐτῷ· καὶ εἶδεν αὐτὸν ἡπλωμένον. Ὡς οὖν ἐλάλησε, λέγει αὐτῷ· Καὶ τίς ἦν κοσμικὸς ὃν εἶδον ὧδε; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀβᾶς Ἀλέξανδρος· Ποῦ ἑώρακας αὐτόν; Καὶ εἶπεν· Ὡς κατηρχόμην ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄρους, προσέσχον ὧδε ἐπὶ τὸ σπήλαιον, καὶ εἶδόν τινα ἡπλωμένον ἄνω βλέποντα. Καὶ ἔβαλεν αὐτῷ μετάνοιαν λέγων· Συγχώρησόν μοι ἐγὼ ἤμην· πόνος γάρ με κατέσχε. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Οὐκοῦν σὺ ἧς; καλῶς. Ἐγὼ ὑπενόησα ὅτι κοσμικός ἐστι, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ἠρώτησα. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Daniel, the disciple of abba Arsenius, related: “Once I was near abba Alexander, and pain took hold of him, and because of the pain he stretched himself out, looking upward. It happened that blessed Arsenius came to speak with him and saw him stretched out. When he had spoken, he says to him, ‘And who was the layman I saw here?’ Abba Alexander says to him, ‘Where did you see him?’ And he said, ‘As I was coming down from the mountain, I looked here toward the cave, and I saw someone stretched out, looking up.’ And he made a prostration to him, saying, ‘Forgive me, it was I; for pain had seized me.’ The old man says to him, ‘So it was you? Good. I supposed it was a layman, and that is why I asked.’” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.23 (PG 65:93; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-23). ## Arsenius 24 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-24 - Source: PG 65:93–95 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Alexander keeps Arsenius’s word so exactly that he misses their meal, and Arsenius tells him to eat sooner. ### Greek text "Αλλοτε εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀλεξάνδρῳ, ὅτι "Αν ἀποσχίσῃς τὰ θαλλία σου, ἐλθὲ γεῦσαι μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ ἐὰν δὲ ἔλθωσι ξένοι, φάγε μετ' αὐτῶν. Ὁ οὖν ἀββᾶς Ἀλέξανδρος ὁμαλῶς εἰργάζετο καὶ ἐπιεικῶς. Καὶ ὡς γέγονεν ἡ ὥρα, ἀκμὴν εἶχε θαλλία καὶ θέλων τηρῆσαι τὸν λόγον τοῦ γέροντος, ἀνέμεινε πληρῶσαι τὰ θαλλία Ὁ οὖν ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος, ὡς εἶδεν ὅτι ἐχρόνισεν, ἐγεύσατο, λογισάμενος μήποτε ξένους ἔσχεν. Ὁ δὲ ἀββᾶς Ἀλέξανδρος ὡς ἐτέλεσεν ὀψὲ, ἀπῆλθε. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ξένους ἔσχες; Λέγει· Οὐχί. Εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ· Πῶς οὖν οὐκ ἦλθες; Ὁ δὲ λέγει· Ὅτι εἶπές μοι, ὅταν ἀποσχίσῃς” τὰ θαλλία σου, ἐλθέ· καὶ τηρῶν τὸν λόγον σου, οὐκ ἦλθον, ὅτι ἄρτι ἐπλήρωσα. Καὶ ἐθαύμασεν ὁ γέρων τὴν ἀκρίβειαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ταχύτερον κατάλυε ἵνα καὶ τὴν σύναξίν σου βάλῃς καὶ τοῦ ὕδατός σου μεταλάβῃς· εἰ δὲ μήγε, ταχέως ἔχει τὸ σῶμά σου ἀσθενῆσαι. ### English translation (Claude) Another time abba Arsenius said to abba Alexander, “When you have finished cutting your palm leaves, come and eat with me; but if visitors come, eat with them.” So abba Alexander worked steadily and gently. And when the hour came, he still had palm leaves, and wanting to keep the old man’s word he waited to finish the palm leaves. When abba Arsenius saw that he was late, he ate, thinking that perhaps he had visitors. Abba Alexander, when he finished late, went to him. And the old man says to him, “Did you have visitors?” He says, “No.” He said to him, “Then why did you not come?” He says, “Because you told me, ‘When you have finished cutting your palm leaves, come’; and keeping your word I did not come, because I have only just finished.” And the old man marveled at his exactness and says to him, “Break your fast sooner, so that you may both say your office and take your water; otherwise your body will soon fall ill.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.24 (PG 65:93–95; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-24). ## Arsenius 25 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-25 - Source: PG 65:95 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius warns that even a sparrow’s voice disturbs stillness, let alone rustling reeds. ### Greek text Παρέβαλέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος εἰς τόπον, καὶ ἦσαν ἐκεῖ κάλαμοι, καὶ ἐκινήθησαν ὑπὸ τοῦ ἀνέμου. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς· Τἱ ἐστιν ὁ σεισμός οὗτος; Καὶ λέγουσι· Κάλαμοί εἰσι. Λέγει οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Φύσει ἐὰν κάθηταί τις ἐν ἡσυχίᾳ, ἀκούσει δὲ φωνὴν στρουθίου, οὐκ ἔχει ἡ καρδία τὴν αὐτὴν ἡσυχίαν· πόσῳ μᾶλλον ὑμεῖς ἔχοντες τὸν σεισμὸν τῶν καλάμων τούτων ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Arsenius came to a place where there were reeds, and they were shaken by the wind. And the old man says to the brothers, “What is this rustling?” And they say, “It is reeds.” So the old man says to them, “Truly, if someone sits in stillness and hears the voice of a sparrow, his heart does not have the same stillness; how much more you, who have the rustling of these reeds.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.25 (PG 65:95; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-25). ## Arsenius 26 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-26 - Source: PG 65:95 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius refuses to see brothers who visit him only in passing on business. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Δανιήλ, ὅτι τινὲς ἀδελφοὶ μέλλοντες ὑπάγειν εἰς Θηβαΐδα διὰ λινάρια, λέγουσι Δι' ἀφορμῆς ἴδωμεν καὶ τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀρσένιον. Καὶ εἰσἦλθεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀλέξανδρος, καὶ εἶπε τῷ γέροντι Ἀδελφοὶ ἐλθόντες ἀπὸ Ἀλεξανδρείας θέλουσί σε ἰδεῖν. Λέγει ὁ γέρων· Μάθε παρ' αὐτῶν δι᾽ ἣν αἰτίαν παραγεγόνασι. Καὶ μαθὼν ὅτι εἰς Θηβαΐδα διὰ λινάρια ὑπάγουσιν, ἀπήγγειλε τῷ γέροντι. Λέγει καὶ αὐτός Φύσει οὐ βλέπουσι τὸ πρόσωπον Ἀρσενίου, ὅτι δι' ἐμὲ οὐκ ἦλθον, ἀλλὰ διὰ τὸ ἔργον αὐτῶν. Ἀνάπαυσον αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἀπόλυσον ἐν εἰρήνῃ, εἰπὼν αὐτοῖς, ὅτι Ὁ γέρων οὐ δύναται ἀπαντῆσαι. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Daniel said that some brothers who were about to go to the Thebaid for linen said, “Let us take the occasion to see abba Arsenius too.” And abba Alexander went in and said to the old man, “Brothers who have come from Alexandria want to see you.” The old man says, “Find out from them for what reason they have come.” And learning that they were going to the Thebaid for linen, he told the old man. He says, “Truly they will not see Arsenius’s face, because they did not come for me but for their business. Give them rest and send them away in peace, telling them, ‘The old man cannot meet you.’” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.26 (PG 65:95; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-26). ## Arsenius 27 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-27 - Source: PG 65:95 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A brother sees Arsenius at prayer as wholly like fire. ### Greek text Ἀδελφός τις ἀπῆλθεν εἰς τὸ κελλίον τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀρσενίου ἐν Σκήτει, καὶ προσέσχε διὰ τῆς θυρίδος, καὶ θεωρεῖ τὸν γέροντα ὅλον ὡς πῦρ· ἦν δὲ ἄξιος ὁ ἀδελφὸς τοῦ ἰδεῖν. Καὶ ὡς ἔκρουσεν, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ γέρων, καὶ θεωρεῖ τὸν ἀδελφὸν ὡς ἔκθαμβον. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἔχεις πολλὴν ὥραν κρούων; μή τί ποτε εἶδες ὧδε; Καὶ εἶπε· Οὐχί. Καὶ λαλήσας αὐτὸν ἀπέλυσεν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother went to the cell of abba Arsenius at Scetis and looked through the window, and he sees the old man entirely like fire; and the brother was worthy to see it. When he knocked, the old man came out and sees the brother as if astounded. And he says to him, “Have you been knocking a long time? Did you see anything here?” And he said, “No.” And he talked with him and sent him away. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.27 (PG 65:95; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-27). ## Arsenius 28 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-28 - Source: PG 65:95–97 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius rebukes a Roman noblewoman who traveled to see him, and Theophilus explains his harsh words. ### Greek text Καθημένου ποτε τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀρσενίου εἰς τὸν Κάνωπον, ἦλθε μία συγκλητική παρθένος πλουσία σφόδρα καὶ φοβουμένη τὸν Θεὸν, ἀπὸ Ῥώμης ἰδεῖν αὐτόν· καὶ ὑπεδέξατο αὐτὴν Θεόφιλος ὁ ἀρχιεπίσκοπος· καὶ παρεκάλεσεν αὐτὸν, ἵνα πείσῃ τὸν γέροντα δέξασθαι αὐτήν. Καὶ ἐλθὼν πρὸς αὐτὸν παρεκάλεσε λέγων· Ἡ δεῖνα ἡ συγκλητικὴ ἦλθεν ἀπὸ Ῥώμης, καὶ θέλει σε ἰδεῖν. Ὁ δὲ γέρων οὐ κατεδέξατο ἀπαντῆσαι αὐτῇ. Ὡς οὖν ἀνηγγέλη αὐτῇ ταῦτα, κελεύει στρωθῆναι κτήνη, λέγουσα· Πιστεύω τῷ Θεῷ ἰδεῖν αὐτόν. Οὐ γὰρ ἄνθρωπον ἦλθον ἰδεῖν· εἰσὶ γὰρ καὶ ἐν τῇ πόλει ἡμῶν πολλοὶ ἄνθρωποι· ἀλλὰ προφήτην ἦλθον ἰδεῖν. Καὶ ὡς ἔφθασε περὶ τὴν κέλλαν τοῦ γέροντος, κατ' οίκονομίαν Θεοῦ εὐκαίρησεν ὁ γέρων ἔξω τῆς κέλλης· καὶ ἰδοῦσα αὐτὸν προσέπεσε τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτοῦ. Ὁ δὲ ἤγειρεν αὐτὴν μετ᾿ ὀργῆς καὶ προσέσχεν αὐτῇ λέγων· Εἰ τὸ πρόσωπόν μου θέλεις ἰδεῖν, ἰδοὺ βλέπε. Ἡ δὲ ἀπὸ αἰσχύνης οὐ κατενόησε τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ γέρων· Οὐκ ἤκουσας τὰ ἔργα μου; ταῦτα βλέπειν ἀναγκαῖόν ἐστι. Πῶς δὲ ἐτόλμησας τοσοῦτον ποιῆσαι πλοῦν; οὐκ οἶδας ὅτι γυνὴ εἶ; οὐκ ὀφείλεις ἐξέρχεσθαί πού ποτε; Η ἵνα ἀπέλθῃς εἰς Ῥώμην, καὶ εἴπῃς ταῖς ἄλλαις γυναιξὶν, ὅτι Εώρακα Ἀρσένιον, καὶ ποιήσωσι τὴν θάλασσαν ὁδὸν γυναικῶν ἐρχομένων πρὸς μέ; Ἡ δὲ εἶπεν· Ἐὰν θέλῃ ὁ Κύριος, οὐκ ἀφῶ τινα ἐλθεῖν ὧδε· ἀλλ' εὔχου ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ, καὶ μνημόνευέ μου διαπαντός. Ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν αὐτῇ Εὔχομαι τῷ Θεῷ, ἵνα ἐξαλείψῃ τὸ μνημόσυνόν σου ἐκ τῆς καρδίας μου. Καὶ ταῦτα ἀκούσασα, ἐξῆλθε τεταραγμένη. Καὶ ὡς ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν πόλιν, ἀπὸ τῆς λύπης ἔβαλε πυρέσσειν· καὶ ἀνηγγέλη τῷ μακαρίῳ Θεοφίλῳ τῷ ἀρχιεπισκόπῳ ὅτι ἀσθενεῖ. Καὶ ἐλθὼν πρὸς αὐτὴν, παρεκάλει μαθεῖν τὸ ἐστιν ὁ ἔχει. Ἡ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Εἴθε μὴ ἀπήντησα ὧδε· εἶπον γὰρ τῷ γέροντι· Μνημόνευε μου· καὶ εἶπέ μοι· Εὔχομαι τῷ Θεῷ, ἵνα ἐξαλειφθῇ τὸ μνημόσυνόν σου ἐκ τῆς καρδίας μου. Καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποθνήσκω ἐκ τῆς λύπης. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ ἀρχιεπίσκοπος· Οὐκ οἶδας ὅτι γυνὴ εἶ, καὶ διὰ τῶν γυναικῶν ὁ ἐχθρὸς πολεμεῖ τοὺς ἁγίους; διὰ τοῦτο εἶπεν ὁ γέρων· περὶ γὰρ τῆς ψυχῆς σου εὔχεται διαπαντός. Καὶ οὕτως ἐθεραπεύθη ὁ λογισμὸς αὐτῆς, καὶ ἀπῆλθε μετὰ χαρᾶς εἰς τὰ ἴδια. ### English translation (Claude) Once when abba Arsenius was living at Canopus, a virgin of senatorial rank, very rich and God-fearing, came from Rome to see him. Theophilus the archbishop received her, and she asked him to persuade the old man to receive her. And he went to him and urged him, saying, “A certain lady of senatorial rank has come from Rome and wants to see you.” But the old man would not consent to meet her. When this was reported to her, she ordered the animals to be saddled, saying, “I trust in God that I shall see him. For I did not come to see a man; there are many men in our own city; I came to see a prophet.” And when she arrived near the old man’s cell, by God’s arrangement the old man happened to be outside the cell. Seeing him, she fell at his feet. But he raised her up angrily, and looking at her said, “If you want to see my face, here it is: look.” But from shame she did not look at his face. And the old man says to her, “Have you not heard of my works? Those are what one needs to see. How did you dare to make such a voyage? Do you not know that you are a woman and ought not to go out anywhere? Or is it so that you may go to Rome and tell the other women, ‘I have seen Arsenius,’ and they will make the sea a road of women coming to me?” She said, “If the Lord wills, I will not let anyone come here; but pray for me and remember me always.” He answered her, “I pray to God that he will wipe the memory of you from my heart.” When she heard this, she went away troubled. And when she came to the city, from grief she fell into a fever; and it was reported to the blessed archbishop Theophilus that she was ill. He went to her and urged her to tell him what was wrong. She said to him, “If only I had not come here! For I said to the old man, ‘Remember me,’ and he said to me, ‘I pray to God that the memory of you may be wiped from my heart.’ And look, I am dying of grief.” And the archbishop says to her, “Do you not know that you are a woman, and that through women the enemy wars against the saints? That is why the old man said it; but for your soul he prays always.” And so her thought was healed, and she went home with joy. ### Translation notes - The saying expresses the monastic suspicion of women as an occasion of temptation; it is translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.28 (PG 65:95–97; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-28). ## Arsenius 29 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-29 - Source: PG 65:97 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius refuses an inheritance, saying he died to the world before the testator. ### Greek text Διηγήσατο ὁ ἀββᾶς Δανιήλ περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀρσενίου, ὅτι ἦλθέ ποτε μαγιστριανὸς, φέρων αὐτῷ διαθήκην τινὸς συγκλητικοῦ συγγενοῦς αὐτοῦ, ὃς κατἐλιπεν αὐτῷ κληρονομίαν πολλὴν σφόδρα· καὶ λαβὼν αὐτὴν, ἤθελε σχίσαι. Καὶ ἔπεσεν ὁ μαγιστριανὸς εἰς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ, λέγων· Δέομαί σου, μὴ σχίσῃς αὐτὴν, ἐπεὶ αἴρεταί μου ἡ κεφαλή. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος· Ἐγὼ πρὸ ἐκείνου ἀπέθανον· αὐτὸς δὲ ἄρτι ἀπέθανε. Καὶ ἀντέπεμψεν αὐτὴν, μηδὲν δεξάμενος. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Daniel related of abba Arsenius that once an official came bringing him the will of a senator, a relative of his, who had left him a very large inheritance; and taking it, Arsenius wanted to tear it up. And the official fell at his feet, saying, “I beg you, do not tear it up, or my head will be taken off.” And abba Arsenius says to him, “I died before he did; he has only just died.” And he sent it back, accepting nothing. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.29 (PG 65:97; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-29). ## Arsenius 30 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-30 - Source: PG 65:97 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius prayed with outstretched hands from Saturday sunset until Sunday’s sunrise. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον πάλιν περὶ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ὀψὲ σαββάτων ἐπιφωσκούσης Κυριακῆς, ἤφιε τὸν ἥλιον ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔτεινε τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εὐχόμενος, ἕως πάλιν ἔλαμψεν ὁ ἥλιος εἰς τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ καὶ οὕτως ἐκαθέζετο ### English translation (Claude) They also said of him that on Saturday evening, as Sunday was dawning, he would put the sun behind him and stretch out his hands to heaven, praying, until the sun shone again on his face; and then he would sit down. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.30 (PG 65:97; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-30). ## Arsenius 31 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-31 - Source: PG 65:97 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius and Theodore of Pherme both shunned human praise in different ways. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀρσενίου καὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Θεοδώρου τοῦ τῆς Φέρμης, ὅτι ὑπὲρ πάντας ἐμισουν τὴν τῶν ἀνθρώπων δόξαν. μὲν οὖν ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος οὐχ ὑπήντα ταχέως τινί· ὁ δὲ ἀββᾶς Θεόδωρος ὑπήντα μὲν, ἀλλὰ ὡς ῥομφαία ἦν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Arsenius and abba Theodore of Pherme that more than anyone they hated the glory of men. Abba Arsenius did not readily meet anyone; abba Theodore did meet people, but he was like a sword. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.31 (PG 65:97; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-31). ## Arsenius 32 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-32 - Source: PG 65:97–99 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius leaves his disciples, is rebuked by a slave girl, and returns to them like the dove to the ark. ### Greek text Καθεζομένου ποτὲ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀρσενίου ἐν τοῖς κάτω μέρεσι, καὶ ὀχλουμένου ἐκεῖσε, ἔδοξεν αὐτῷ καταλιπεῖν τὸ κελλίον. Μηδὲν δὲ ἐξ αὐτοῦ λαβὼν, οὗτως ἐπορεύθη μαθητὰς τοὺς Φαρανίτας Ἀλέξανδρον καὶ Ζώϊλον. Εἶπεν οὖν τῷ Ἀλεξάνδρῳ· Ἀναστὰς ἀνάπλευσον. Καὶ ἐποίησεν οὕτως. Καὶ τῷ Ζωΐλῳ εἶπε· Δεῦρο μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ ἕως τοῦ ποταμοῦ, καὶ ζήτησόν μοι πλοῖον ἐπὶ τὴν Ἀλεξάνδρειαν καταπλέον, καὶ οὔτως ἀνάπλευσον καὶ σὺ πρὸς τὸν ἀδελφόν σου. Ὁ δὲ Ζώϊλος, ἐπὶ τῷ λόγῳ ταραχθεὶς, ἐσιώπησε. Καὶ οὕτως ἐχωρίσθησαν ἀπ᾿ ἀλλήλων. Κατῆλθεν οὖν ὁ γέρων ἐπὶ τὰ μέρη Ἀλεξανδρείας, καὶ ἠσθένησεν ἀῤῥωστίαν μεγάλην. Οἱ δὲ τούτου διακονηταὶ εἶπον πρὸς ἀλλήλους· Μὴ ἄρα τις ἡμῶν ἐλύπησε τὸν γέροντα, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ἐχωρίσθη ἀφ᾿ ἡμῶν; Καὶ οὐχ εὖρον ἐν ἑαυτοῖς οὐδὲν, οὔτε ὅτι παρήκουσαν αὐτοῦ ποτε. Ὑγιάνας δὲ -ὁ γέρων εἶπε· Πορεύσομαι πρὸς τοὺς ἐμοὺς Πατέρας. Καὶ οὕτως ἀναπλεύσας ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν Πέτραν ὅπου ἦσαν οἱ διακονηταὶ αὐτοῦ. Ὄντος δὲ αὐτοῦ πλησίον τοῦ ποταμοῦ, παιδίσκη τις Αἰθιόπισσα ἐλθοῦσα, ἥψατο τῆς μηλωτῆς αὐτοῦ. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἐπετίμησεν αὐτῇ. Ἡ οὖν παιδίσκη εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Εἰ μοναχὸς εἶ, πορεύου εἰς τὸ ὄρος. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἐπὶ τῷ λόγῳ κατανυγεὶς ἔλεγεν ἐν ἑαυτῷ· Ἀρσένιε, εἰ μοναχὸς εἶ, πορεύου εἰς τὸ ὄρος. Καὶ ἐπὶ τούτῳ ἀπήντησαν αὐτῷ ὅ τε Ἀλέξανδρος καὶ Ζώϊλος· καὶ ἐπιπεσόντων αὐτῶν τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτοῦ, ἔῤῥιψεν ἑαυτὸν καὶ ὁ γέρων· καὶ ἔκλαυσαν ἀμφότεροι. Εἶπε δὲ ὁ γέρων· Οὐκ ἠκούσατε ὅτι ἡσθένησα; Καὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ· Ναί. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Καὶ διατί οὐκ ἤλθετε ἰδεῖν με; Καὶ λέγει ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀλέξανδρος ὅτι Ὁ χωρισμός σου ἀφ᾿ ἡμῶν οὐ γέγονε πιθανὸς. καὶ πολλοὶ οὐκ ὠφελήθησαν, λέγοντες, ὅτι Εἰ μὴ παρἠκουσαν τοῦ γέροντος, οὐκ ἂν ἐχωρίσθη ἐξ αὐτῶν. Λέγει αὐτοῖς· Πάλιν οὖν μέλλουσι λέγειν οἱ ἄνθρωποι, ὅτι Οὐχ εὗρεν ἡ περιστερὰ ἀνάπαυσιν τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτῆς, καὶ ἀνέστρεψε πρὸς τὸν Νῶε, εἰς τὴν κιβωτόν. Καὶ οὕτως ἐθεραπεύθησαν· καὶ ἔμεινε μετ᾿ αὐτῶν ἕως τῆς τελευτῆς αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Once when abba Arsenius was living in the lower regions and was being troubled there, it seemed good to him to leave the cell. Taking nothing from it, he went to his disciples, the Pharanites Alexander and Zoilus. He said to Alexander, “Get up and sail upriver.” And he did so. And to Zoilus he said, “Come with me as far as the river, and find me a boat going down to Alexandria; and then you too sail up to your brother.” Zoilus was troubled at the word and kept silent. And so they parted from one another. So the old man went down to the region of Alexandria and fell gravely ill. His servants said to one another, “Did one of us grieve the old man, and is that why he parted from us?” And they found nothing in themselves, nor that they had ever disobeyed him. When the old man recovered, he said, “I will go to my Fathers.” And so, sailing up, he came to Petra, where his servants were. When he was near the river, an Ethiopian slave girl came and touched his sheepskin. The old man rebuked her. The girl said to him, “If you are a monk, go to the mountain.” The old man, pierced to the heart at the word, said to himself, “Arsenius, if you are a monk, go to the mountain.” And at that moment Alexander and Zoilus met him; and as they fell at his feet, the old man also threw himself down, and they both wept. The old man said, “Did you not hear that I was ill?” And they said to him, “Yes.” And the old man says, “Then why did you not come to see me?” And abba Alexander says, “Your parting from us did not seem reasonable, and many were not helped by it, saying, ‘If they had not disobeyed the old man, he would not have parted from them.’” He says to them, “Now people will say again, ‘The dove found no rest for her feet and returned to Noah in the ark.’” And so they were healed, and he stayed with them until his death. ### Scripture references - Gen 8:9: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - A displaced line from another saying (on how no one could grasp Arsenius’s way of life) and a stray word were removed. The dove: Gen 8:9. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.32 (PG 65:97–99; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-32). ## Arsenius 33 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-33 - Source: PG 65:99–101 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius tells a vision of three futile labors that picture unrepented sin, mixed motives, and pride. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Δανιὴλ, ὅτι Διηγήσατο ἡμῖν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος ὡς περὶ ἄλλου τινός· τάχα δὲ αὐτὸς ἦν· ὅτι καθημένου τινὸς γέροντος εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ, ἦλθεν αὐτῷ φωνὴ λέγουσα· Δεῦρο, καὶ δείξω σοι τὰ ἔργα τῶν ἀνθρώπων. Καὶ ἀναστὰς ἐξῆλθε· καὶ ἀπήνεγκεν αὐτὸν εἰς τόπον τινὰ, καὶ ἔδειξεν Αἰθίοπα κόπτοντα ξύλα, καὶ ποιήσαντα φορτίον μέγα· ἐπειρᾶτο δὲ αὐτὸ βαστάσαι, καὶ οὐκ ἠδύνατο· καὶ ἀντὶ τοῦ ἆραι ἐξ αὐτοῦ, πάλιν ἔκοπτε ξύλα, καὶ προσετίθει τῷ φορτίῳ. Τοῦτο δὲ ἐπὶ πολὺ ἐποίει. Καὶ προβὰς ὀλίγον πάλιν ἔδειξεν αὐτῷ ἄνθρωπον ἱστάμενον ἐπὶ λάκκου, καὶ ἀντλοῦντα ὕδωρ ἐξ αὐτοῦ, καὶ μεταβάλλοντα εἰς δεξαμενὴν τετρημμένην, καὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ὕδωρ ἐκχέουσαν εἰς τὸν λάκκον. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ πάλιν· Δεῦρο, δείξω σοι ἄλλο. Καὶ θεωρεῖ ἱερὸν, καὶ δύο ἄνδρας καθημένους ἵπποις, καὶ βαστάζοντας ξύλον πλαγίως, ἕνα κατέναντι τοῦ ἑνός· ἤθελον δὲ διὰ τῆς πύλης εἰσελθεῖν, καὶ οὐκ ἠδύναντο, διὰ τὸ εἶναι τὸ ξύλον πλάγιον Οὐκ ἐταπείνωσε δὲ ὁ εἷς ἑαυτὸν ὀπίσω τοῦ ἑτέρου ἐνέγκαι τὸ ξύλον ἐπ᾿ εὐθείας· καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ἔμειναν ἔξω τῆς πύλης. Οὗτοί εἰσι, φησὶν, οἱ βαστάζοντες ὡς δικαιοσύνης ζυγὸν μετὰ ὑπερηφανίας, καὶ οὐκ ἐταπεινώθησαν τοῦ διορθώσασθαι ἑαυτοὺς, καὶ πορευθῆναι τῇ ταπεινῇ ὁδῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ· διὸ καὶ μένουσιν ἔξω τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ὁ δὲ κόπτων τὰ ξύλα ἄνθρωπός ἐστιν ἐν ἁμαρτίαις πολλαῖς· καὶ ἀντὶ τοῦ μετανοῆσαι, ἄλλας ἀνομίας προστιθεῖ ἐπάνω τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ὁ τὸ ὕδωρ ἀντλῶν ἄνθρωπός ἐστι καλὰ μὲν ἔργα ποιῶν, ἀλλ᾽ ἐπειδὴ εἶχεν ἐν αὐτοῖς πονηρὰν συμμιγὴν, ἐν τούτῳ ἀπώλεσε καὶ τὰ καλὰ αὐτοῦ ἔργα. Χρὴ οὖν νήφειν πάντα ἄνθρωπον εἰς τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ, ἵνα μὴ εἰς κενὸν κοπιάσῃ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Daniel said, “Abba Arsenius told us, as if about someone else (but perhaps it was himself), that while an old man was sitting in his cell, a voice came to him, saying, ‘Come, and I will show you the works of men.’ And he got up and went out; and it took him to a certain place and showed him an Ethiopian cutting wood and making a large bundle. He tried to carry it and could not; and instead of taking some off it, he cut more wood and added it to the bundle. He kept doing this for a long time. And going on a little, it showed him again a man standing by a cistern, drawing water from it and pouring it into a cistern with holes, which poured the same water back into the cistern. And it says to him again, ‘Come, I will show you something else.’ And he sees a temple, and two men sitting on horses, carrying a beam crosswise, one opposite the other. They wanted to go in through the gate and could not, because the beam was crosswise. Neither humbled himself to go behind the other and carry the beam straight; and so they stayed outside the gate. ‘These,’ he says, ‘are those who carry the yoke of righteousness, as it were, with pride, and were not humbled to correct themselves and walk in the humble way of Christ; and that is why they remain outside the kingdom of God. The one cutting the wood is a man in many sins; and instead of repenting, he adds other iniquities on top of his sins. And the one drawing the water is a man who does good works, but because he had wickedness mixed with them, by this he has lost his good works as well. So every man must be watchful in his works, so that he may not labor in vain.’” ### Translation notes - Two lines of variant notes from Migne’s apparatus are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.33 (PG 65:99–101; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-33). ## Arsenius 34 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-34 - Source: PG 65:101 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius punished himself with fasting for having turned away visitors. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς διηγήσατο, ὅτι ποτὲ ἦλθόν τινες τῶν Πατέρων ἀπὸ Ἀλεξανδρείας, ἰδεῖν τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀρσένιον· καὶ ἦν εἷς ἐξ αὐτῶν θεῖος τοῦ παλαιοῦ Τιμοθέου ἀρχιεπισκόπου Ἀλεξανδρείας τοῦ λεγομένου ἀκτήμονος, καὶ εἶχεν ἕνα ἐκ τῶν τεκναδέλφων αὐτοῦ. Εἶχε δὲ τότε ὁ γέρων ἀσθένειαν, καὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησεν ἀπαντῆσαι αὐτοῖς, ἵνα μὴ καὶ ἄλλοι ἔλθωσι καὶ παρενοχλήσωσιν αὐτόν. Ἦν δὲ τότε εἰς τὴν Πέτραν τῆς Τρώης. Καὶ ἀνέκαμψαν λυπούμενοι. Συνέβη δὲ ἐπίστασιν βαρβάρων γενέσθαι, καὶ θέλων ἔμεινεν ἐν τοῖς κάτω μέρεσι. Καὶ ἀκούσαντες πάλιν ἦλθον ἰδεῖν αὐτόν. Καὶ μετὰ χαρᾶς προσελάβετο αὐτούς. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὃς ἦν μετ' αὐτῶν· Οὐκ οἶδας, ἀββᾶ, ὅτι ἤλθομεν παραβαλεῖν σοι εἰς Τρώην, καὶ οὐκ ἐδέξω ἡμᾶς; Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ὑμεῖς ἐγεύσασθε ἄρτου καὶ ἐπίετε ὕδωρ· φύσει δὲ ἐγὼ, τέκνον, οὔτε ἄρτου οὔτε ὕδατος ἐγευσάμην, οὔτε μὴν ἐκάθισα, κολάζων ἐμαυτὸν, ἕως οὗ ἐδοκίμασα ὅτι ἐφθάσατε εἰς τὸν τόπον ὑμῶν, ὅτι δι'" ἐμὲ καὶ ὑμεῖς ἐσκύλητε· ἀλλὰ συγχωρήσατέ μοι, ἀδελφοί. Καὶ παρακληθέντες ἀνεχώρησαν. ### English translation (Claude) The same related that once some of the Fathers came from Alexandria to see abba Arsenius; one of them was the uncle of the elder Timothy, archbishop of Alexandria, called “the Poor”, and he had one of his nephews with him. At that time the old man was ill, and he did not want to meet them, lest others also come and trouble him. He was then at the Rock of Troë. And they went back grieved. It happened that there was an attack of barbarians, and he came to stay in the lower regions. And hearing of it, they came again to see him, and he received them with joy. And the brother who was with them says to him, “Do you not know, abba, that we came to visit you at Troë and you did not receive us?” And the old man says to him, “You ate bread and drank water; but truly, my child, I neither tasted bread nor water, nor did I sit down, punishing myself, until I judged that you had reached your place, because you too were troubled on my account. But forgive me, brothers.” And comforted, they went away. ### Translation notes - Timothy “the Poor” (ἀκτήμων) was archbishop of Alexandria 381–385. θέλων ἔμεινεν is taken as “he came to stay” (perhaps ἐλθὼν). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.34 (PG 65:101; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-34). ## Arsenius 35 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-35 - Source: PG 65:101 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius tells Daniel to care for his spiritual father, who will intercede for him. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἔλεγεν, ὅτι Ἐκάλεσέ με μίαν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος, καὶ λέγει μοι· Ἀνάπαυσον τὸν πατέρα σου, ἶνα ὅταν ἀπέλθῃ πρὸς Κύριον, παρακαλέσῃ ὑπὲρ σοῦ, καὶ εῦ σοι γένηται. ### English translation (Claude) The same said, “Once abba Arsenius called me and says to me, ‘Give rest to your father, so that when he goes to the Lord he may intercede for you, and it may go well with you.’” ### Scripture references - Eph 6:3: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.35 (PG 65:101; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-35). ## Arsenius 36 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-36 - Source: PG 65:101–103 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A former shepherd, offended at Arsenius’s pillow, learns how much Arsenius had given up. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀρσενίου, ὅτι, ἀσθενήσαντος αὐτοῦ ποτε εἰς Σκῆτιν, ἀπῆλθεν ὁ πρεσβύτερος, καὶ ἤνεγκεν αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, καὶ ἔθηκεν αὐτὸν εἰς χαλάδριον, μικρὸν προσκεφάλαιον πρὸς τῇ κεφαλῇ αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ἰδοὺ εἷς τῶν γερόντων ἐλθὼν ἐπισκέψασθαι αὐτὸν, καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ χαλάδριον καὶ τὸ προσκεφάλαιον ὑποκάτω αὐτοῦ, ἐσκανδαλίσθη, λέγων· Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος; καὶ εἰς ταῦτα ἀνάκειται; Λαβὼν δὲ αὐτὸν πρεσβύτερος κατ' ἰδίαν, λέγει αὐτῷ· Τί ἦν τὸ ἔργον σου ἐν τῇ κώμῃ σου; Ὁ δὲ εἶπε· Ποιμὴν ἤμην. Πῶς οὖν, φησὶ, διῆγες τὸν βίον σου; Ὁ δὲ ἔφη· Ἐν πολλῷ κόπῳ διῆγον. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Νῦν οὖν πῶς διάγεις ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ; Ὁ δὲ ἔφη· Μᾶλλον ἀναπαύομαι. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Βλέπεις τοῦτον τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀρσένιον; πατὴρ βασιλέων ὑπῆρχεν ὧν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, καὶ χίλιοι δοῦλοι χρυσόζωνοι καὶ ὅλοι μανιάκια καὶ ὀλοσήρικα φοροῦντες παρειστήκεισαν αὐτῷ· πολύτιμα δὲ στρώματα ὑποκάτω αὐτοῦ ἦν· σὺ δὲ ποιμὴν ῶν, οὐκ εἶχες ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ ἣν νῦν ἔχεις ἀνάπαυσιν· καὶ οὗτος τὴν τρυφὴν ἣν εἶχεν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, ὧδε οὐκ ἔχει. Ἰδοὺ οὖν σὺ ἀναπαύῃ, κἀκεῖνος θλίβεται. Ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας ταῦτα, κατενύγη, καὶ ἔβαλε μετάνοιαν, λέγων· Συγχώρησόν μοι, ἀββᾶ, ἡμάρτηκα· ἀληθῶς γὰρ αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ ἀληθινὴ ὁδὸς, ὅτι οὗτος ἦλθεν εἰς ταπείνωσιν, ἐγὼ δὲ εἰς ἀνάπαυσιν. Καὶ ὠφεληθεὶς ὁ γέρων ἀνεχώρησεν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Arsenius that once when he fell ill at Scetis, the presbyter went and brought him to the church and laid him on a cot, with a small pillow at his head. And look, one of the old men came to visit him, and seeing him on the cot with the pillow under him, he was offended, saying, “Is this abba Arsenius? And does he lie on such things?” The presbyter took him aside and says to him, “What was your work in your village?” He said, “I was a shepherd.” “And how,” he says, “did you live?” He said, “I lived in great hardship.” And he says to him, “And now how do you live in your cell?” He said, “I have more rest.” And he says to him, “Do you see this abba Arsenius? When he was in the world he was the father of emperors, and a thousand slaves with golden girdles, all wearing collars and garments of pure silk, stood around him; and costly coverings were spread beneath him. But you, who were a shepherd, did not have in the world the rest you now have; and this man does not have here the luxury he had in the world. So look: you are at rest, and he is afflicted.” When he heard this, he was pierced to the heart and made a prostration, saying, “Forgive me, abba, I have sinned. Truly this is the true way, for this man came to humility and I to rest.” And the old man went away helped. ### Translation notes - “Father of emperors”: Arsenius was said to have been tutor of Arcadius and Honorius. A line of Migne’s notes is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.36 (PG 65:101–103; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-36). ## Arsenius 37 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-37 - Source: PG 65:103 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius lies prostrate until an unexpected visitor leaves. ### Greek text Ηλθέ τις τῶν Πατέρων πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀρσένιον· καὶ ὡς ἔκρουσε τὴν θύραν, ἀνέωξεν ὁ γέρων, νομίζων ὅτι διακονητὴς αὐτοῦ ἐστι. Καὶ ὡς εἶδεν αὐτὸν ἄλλον, ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον. Ὁ δὲ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἀνάστα, ἀββᾶ, ἵνα σε ἀσπάσωμαι. Καὶ ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Οὐκ ἐγείρομαι ἐὰν μὴ ἀναχωρήσῃς. Καὶ ἐπὶ πολὺ παρακληθεὶς οὐκ ἀνέστη ἕως οὗ ἀνεχώρησεν. ### English translation (Claude) One of the Fathers came to abba Arsenius, and when he knocked on the door, the old man opened, thinking it was his servant. And when he saw it was someone else, he fell on his face. And he says to him, “Get up, abba, so that I may greet you.” And the old man said to him, “I will not get up unless you go away.” And though urged for a long time, he did not get up until he had gone. ### Translation notes - A line of Migne’s notes (on the emperors Arcadius and Honorius) is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.37 (PG 65:103; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-37). ## Arsenius 38 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-38 - Source: PG 65:103–105 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A vision shows that Arsenius’s solitude and Moses’ hospitality are both pleasing to God. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περί τινος ἀδελφοῦ ἐλθόντος ἰδεῖν εἰς Σκῆτιν τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀρσένιον, ὅτι ἐλθὼν εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, παρεκάλει τοὺς κληρικοὺς συντυχεῖν τῷ ἀββῇ Ἀρσενίῳ. Ἔλεγον οὖν αὐτῷ· Ἀναπαύου μικρὸν, ἀδελφὲ, καὶ βλέπεις αὐτόν. Ὁ δὲ ἔφη· Οὐ γεύομαί τινος, ἐὰν μὴ αὐτῷ ἀπαντήσω. Ἔπεμψαν οὖν ἀδελφὸν καταστῆσαι αὐτὸν, ὅτι μακρὰν ἦν ἡ κέλλα αὐτοῦ. Καὶ κρούσαντες τὴν θύραν εἰσῆλθον, καὶ ἀσπασάμενοι τὸν γέροντα ἐκάθισαν σιωπῶντες. Εἶπεν οὖν ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὁ τῆς Ἐκκλησίας· Ἐγὼ ὑπάγω, εὔξασθε ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ. Ὁ δὲ ἀδελφὸς ὁ ξένος, μὴ εὑρὼν παῤῥησίαν πρὸς τὸν γέροντα, εἶπε τῷ ἀδελφῷ· Ἔρχομαι κἀγὼ μετὰ σοῦ. Καὶ ἐξῆλθον ὁμοῦ. Παρεκάλεσεν οὖν αὐτὸν, λέγων· Λαβε με καὶ πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Μωσῆν τὸν ἀπὸ λῃστῶν. Καὶ ἐλθόντων αὐτῶν πρὸς αὐτὸν, ἐδέξατο αὐτοὺς μετὰ χαρᾶς, καὶ φιλοφρονήσας αὐτοὺς ἀπέλυσε. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὁ ἐνεγκὼν αὐτόν· Ἰδοὺ ἀπένεγκά σε πρὸς τὸν ξενικὸν καὶ πρὸς τὸν Αἰγύπτιον. Τίς ἐκ τῶν δύο ἤρεσέ σοι; Ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· Ἐμοὶ τέως ὁ Αἰγύπτιος ἤρεσεν. Ακούσας δὲ τις τῶν Πατέρων ταῦτα, εὔξατο τῷ Θεῷ, λέγων· Κύριε, δεῖξόν μοι τὸ πρᾶγμα τοῦτο· ὅτι ὅς μὲν φεύγει διὰ τὸ ὄνομά σου· ὃς δὲ ἐναγκαλίζεται διὰ τὸ ὄνομά σου. Καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐδείχθη αὐτῷ δύο πλοῖα μεγάλα ἐν τῷ ποταμῷ, καὶ θεωρεῖ τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀρσένιον καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα τοῦ Θεοῦ πλέον ἐν ἡσυχίᾳ εἰς ἕνα καὶ ὁ ἀββᾶς Μωσῆς καὶ οἱ ἄγγελοι τοῦ Θεοῦ πλέοντες εἰς ἕναι, καὶ ἐψώμιζον αὐτὸν μελικηρίδας. ### English translation (Claude) They told of a brother who came to Scetis to see abba Arsenius: coming to the church, he asked the clergy to let him meet abba Arsenius. They said to him, “Rest a little, brother, and you will see him.” But he said, “I will not taste anything until I meet him.” So they sent a brother to take him, because his cell was far away. They knocked at the door and went in, and having greeted the old man they sat down in silence. Then the brother from the church said, “I am leaving; pray for me.” The visiting brother, finding no freedom to speak with the old man, said to the brother, “I am coming with you too.” And they went out together. Then he asked him, saying, “Take me also to abba Moses, the former robber.” When they came to him, he received them with joy, and after showing them kindness sent them off. And the brother who had brought him says to him, “Look, I have taken you to the foreigner and to the Egyptian. Which of the two pleased you?” He answered, “For my part, the Egyptian pleased me.” One of the Fathers, hearing this, prayed to God, saying, “Lord, show me this matter: for one flees for your name’s sake, and the other embraces for your name’s sake.” And look, two large boats on the river were shown to him, and he sees abba Arsenius and the Spirit of God sailing in stillness in one, and abba Moses and the angels of God sailing in the other, and they were feeding him honeycombs. ### Translation notes - A long passage from Migne’s notes on Arsenius as tutor of Arcadius and Honorius, merged into the Greek, is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.38 (PG 65:103–105; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-38). ## Arsenius 39 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-39 - Source: PG 65:105 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Dying, Arsenius forbids memorial meals, trusting only the charity he himself has done. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Δανιὴλ, ὅτι μέλλων τελευτᾷν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος, παρήγγειλεν ἡμῖν λέγων· Μὴ φροντίσητε ποιεῖν ἀγάπας ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ· ἐγὼ γαρ εἰ ἐποίησα ἐμαυτῷ ἀγάπην, ταύτην ἔχω εὑρεῖν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Daniel said that when abba Arsenius was about to die, he charged us, saying, “Do not trouble to hold love-feasts for me; for if I have made a love-feast for myself, I shall find it.” ### Translation notes - ἀγάπη here is a charitable meal or alms offered for the dead. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.39 (PG 65:105; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-39). ## Arsenius 40 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-40 - Source: PG 65:105 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Dying, Arsenius forbids relics to be made of his body and confesses the fear he has had since becoming a monk. ### Greek text Μέλλοντος τελευτᾷν τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀρσενίου, ἐταράχθησαν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ. Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ούπω ἦλθεν ἡ ὥρα· ὅτε δὲ ἔλθῃ ὥρα, λέγω ὑμῖν. Κριθῆναι δὲ ἔχω μεθ᾽ ὑμῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ βήματος τοῦ φοβεροῦ ἐὰν δῶτε τὸ λείψανόν μού τινι. Οἱ δὲ εἶπον· Τί οὖν ποιήσομεν, ὅτι οὐκ οἴδαμεν ἐνταφιάσαι; Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Οὐκ οἴδατε βαλεῖν σχοινίον εἰς τὸν πόδα μου, καὶ ἆραί με εἰς τὸ ὄρος; Οὗτος δὲ ὁ λόγος τοῦ γέροντος ἦν· Ἀρσένιε, διὸ ἐξῆλθες; λαλήσας, πολλάκις μετεμελήθην, σιωπήσας δὲ οὐδέποτε. Ὡς δὲ ἐγγὺς ἦν τοῦ τελευτᾷν εἶδον αὐτὸν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ κλαίοντα· καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Ἐν ἀληθείᾳ καὶ σὺ φοβῇ, Πάτερ; Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἐν ἀληθείᾳ, ὁ φόβος ὁ νῦν μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ ἐν τῇ ὥρᾳ ταύτῃ, μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ ἐστιν ἀφ᾿ οὗ ἐγενόμην μοναχός. Καὶ οὕτως ἐκοιμήθη. ### English translation (Claude) When abba Arsenius was about to die, his disciples were troubled. And he says to them, “The hour has not yet come; when the hour comes, I will tell you. But I will be judged with you before the dreadful judgment seat if you give my body to anyone.” They said, “Then what shall we do, since we do not know how to bury?” And the old man says to them, “Do you not know how to tie a rope to my foot and drag me up the mountain?” This was the old man’s saying: “Arsenius, why did you come out?” And: “Having spoken, I have often regretted it; having kept silent, never.” As he was near death the brothers saw him weeping, and they say to him, “Truly, father, are you also afraid?” And he said to them, “Truly, the fear that is with me now at this hour has been with me since I became a monk.” And so he fell asleep. ### Scripture references - 2 Cor 5:10: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.40 (PG 65:105; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-40). ## Arsenius 41 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-41 - Source: PG 65:105 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen blesses Arsenius, who wept all his life, since one must weep either here or in torment hereafter. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον δὲ ὅτι ὅλον τὸν χρόνον τῆς ζωῆς αὐτοῦ, καθεζόμενος εἰς τὸ ἐργόχειρον αὐτοῦ, ῥάκκος εἶχεν ἐν τῷ κόλπῳ, χάριν τῶν δακρύων τῶν πιπτόντων ἀπὸ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτοῦ. Ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν ὅτι ἐκοιμήθη, δακρύσας εἶπε· Μακάριος εἶ, ἀββᾶ Ἀρσένιε, ὅτι ἔκλαυσας ἑαυτὸν εἰς τὸν ὧδε κόσμον. Ὁ γὰρ μὴ κλαίων ἑαυτὸν ὧδε, αἰωνίως ἐκεῖ κλαύσεται. Εἴτε οὖν ὧδε ἑκὼν, εἴτε ἐκεῖ ἀπὸ βασάνων, ἀδύνατον μὴ κλαῦσαι. ### English translation (Claude) They said that throughout his life, sitting at his handiwork, he had a cloth in his lap because of the tears that fell from his eyes. When abba Poemen heard that he had fallen asleep, he wept and said, “You are blessed, abba Arsenius, because you wept for yourself in this world. For whoever does not weep for himself here will weep eternally there. So, whether here willingly or there from torments, it is impossible not to weep.” ### Scripture references - Luke 6:21: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.41 (PG 65:105; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-41). ## Arsenius 42 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-42 - Source: PG 65:105–107 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Daniel describes Arsenius’s appearance, habits, and life, and the garments he inherited from him. ### Greek text Διηγήσατο δὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Δανιὴλ περὶ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι οὐδέποτε ἤθελε λαλεῖν τι ζήτημα ἐκ τῆς Γραφῆς, καίπερ δυνάμενος λαλῆσαι εἰ ἤθελεν· ἀλλ᾽ οὐδὲ ἐπιστολὴν ταχέως ἔγραφεν. Ὅτε δὲ ἤρχετο εἰς τὴν εκκλησίαν διὰ χρόνου, ὀπίσω τοῦ στύλου ἐκαθέζετο, ἵνα μηδεὶς ἰδῇ τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ, μηδὲ αὐτὸς ἄλλῳ πρόσχῃ. Ἦν δὲ τὸ εἶδος αὐτοῦ, ἀγγελικὸν, ὥσπερ τοῦ Ἰακώβ· ὁλοπόλιος, ἀστεῖος τῷ σώματι· ξηρὸς δὲ ὑπῆρχεν· εἶχε δὲ τὸν πώγωνα μέγαν φθάνοντα ἕως τῆς κοιλίας· αἱ δὲ τρίχες τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτοῦ ἔπεσον ἀπὸ τοῦ κλαυθμοῦ· μακρὸς δὲ ἦν, ἀλλ᾽ ἐκυρτώθη ἀπὸ τοῦ γήρως. Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐτῶν ἐνενήκοντα πέντε. Ἐποίησε δὲ εἰς τὸ παλάτιον τοῦ τῆς θείας μνήμης Θεοδοσίου τοῦ μεγάλου ἔτη τεσσαράκοντα, πατὴρ γενόμενος τῶν θειοτάτων Ἀρκαδίου καὶ Ονωρίου· καὶ ἐν τῇ Σκήτει ἐποίησεν ἔτη τεσσαράκοντα· καὶ δέκα εἰς Τρώην τῆς ἄνω Βαβυλῶνος κατέναντι Μέμφεως· καὶ τρία ἔτη εἰς τὸν Κάνωπον Ἀλεξανδρείας· καὶ τὰ ἄλλα δύο ἔτη, ἦλθε πάλιν εἰς Τρώην, καὶ ἐκεῖ ἐκοιμήθη, τελέσας ἐν εἰρήνῃ καὶ ἐν φόβῳ Θεοῦ τὸν δρόμον αὐτοῦ· ὅτι ἦν ἀνὴρ ἀγαθὸς καὶ πλήρης Πνεύματος ἁγίου καὶ πίστεως. Κατέλιπε δέ μοι τὸν χιτῶνα αὐτοῦ τὸν δερμάτινον, καὶ τρίχινον καμάσιν λευκὸν, καὶ σανδάλια σεβένινα Καὶ ἐγὼ ἀνάξιος ἐφόρεσα αὐτὰ, ἵνα εὐλογηθῶ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Daniel related of him that he never wanted to speak about a question from Scripture, though he could have spoken if he had wished; nor did he readily write a letter. When he came to church at intervals, he would sit behind a pillar, so that no one might see his face and he himself might not look at another. His appearance was angelic, like Jacob’s; he was entirely white-haired, graceful in body, but lean; he had a long beard reaching to his belly; his eyelashes had fallen out from weeping; he was tall, but bent with age. He lived to ninety-five. He spent forty years in the palace of Theodosius the Great, of divine memory, becoming the father of the most divine Arcadius and Honorius; and he spent forty years at Scetis; and ten at Troë, of Babylon above, opposite Memphis; and three years at Canopus of Alexandria; and for the other two years he came back to Troë, and there he fell asleep, having finished his course in peace and in the fear of God; for he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and faith. He left me his leather tunic, a white hair shirt, and palm-fiber sandals. And I, unworthy, have worn them, to receive a blessing. ### Scripture references - Acts 11:24: allusion, medium confidence - 2 Tim 4:7: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Leaked variant notes from Migne’s apparatus are removed. “Babylon” is the fortress near Old Cairo. Echo of Acts 11:24 (Barnabas). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.42 (PG 65:105–107; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-42). ## Arsenius 43 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-43 - Source: PG 65:107 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius asks two disciples to watch him through a night’s vigil; they never see him sleep. ### Greek text Διηγήσατο πάλιν ὁ ἀββᾶς Δανιὴλ περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀρσενίου, ὅτι ποτὲ ἐκάλεσε τοὺς Πατέρας μου, τόν τε ἀββᾶν Ἀλέξανδρον καὶ Ζώϊλον· καὶ ταπεινῶν ἑαυτὸν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Ἐπειδὴ οἱ δαίμονες πολεμοῦσί με, καὶ οὐκ οἶδα εἰ κλέπτουσί με ἐν ὕπνῳ, ἀλλὰ τὴν νύκτα ταύτην κοπιάσατε μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ, καὶ τηρήσατέ με εἰ νυστάζω ἐν τῇ ἀγρυπνίᾳ· Καὶ ἐκάθισεν εἷς ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἷς ἐξ εὐωνύμων, ἀπὸ ὀψὲ σιωπῶντες. Καὶ εἶπον οἱ Πατέρες μου, ὅτι Ἡμεῖς ἐκοιμήθημεν καὶ ἀνέστημεν, καὶ οὐκ ἠσθάνθημεν αὐτὸν νυστάξαντα. Καὶ ἐπὶ τὸ πρωΐ (ὁ Θεὸς οἶδεν εἰ ἀφ' ἑαυτοῦ ἐποίησεν, ἵνα νοήσωμεν ὅτι ἐνύσταξεν, ἢ κατὰ ἀλήθειαν ἡ φύσις τοῦ ὕπνου ἦλθεν) ἐφύσησε τρεῖς πνοὰς, καὶ εὐθέως ἀνέστη λέγων· Ἐνύσταξα, ναί. Καὶ ἀπεκρίθημεν ἡμεῖς, λέγοντες Οὐκ οἶδαμεν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Daniel also related of abba Arsenius that once he called my Fathers, abba Alexander and Zoilus, and humbling himself he said to them, “Since the demons are fighting me, and I do not know whether they rob me in sleep, labor with me this night and watch whether I doze in the vigil.” And one sat at his right and one at his left, in silence, from evening on. And my Fathers said, “We slept and got up, and did not notice him dozing.” And toward morning (God knows whether he did it of himself, so that we would think he had dozed, or whether the nature of sleep truly came upon him) he breathed three breaths, and at once got up, saying, “I dozed, did I not?” And we answered, saying, “We do not know.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.43 (PG 65:107; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-43). ## Arsenius 44 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-0/#p-2-44 - Source: PG 65:107 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Arsenius compares a hidden soul to a virgin in her father’s house, honored while hidden. ### Greek text Ἦλθόν ποτε γέροντες πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀρσένιον, καὶ πολλὰ παρεκάλεσαν ἵνα συντύχωσιν αὐτῷ. Ὁ δὲ ἤνοιξεν αὐτοῖς. Καὶ παρεκάλεσαν αὐτὸν εἰπεῖν αὐτοῖς λόγον περὶ τῶν ἡσυχαζόντων καὶ μηδενὶ ἀπαντώντων. Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Ὅταν ἡ παρθένος ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῆς ᾖ, πολλοὶ θέλουσιν αὐτῇ μνηστευθῆναι· ἐπὰν δὲ λάβῃ ἄνδρα, οὐ πᾶσιν ἀρέσκει· οἱ μὲν ἐξουθενοῦσιν, ἄλλοι δὲ ἐπαινοῦσι· καὶ οὐχ οὕτως ἔχει τιμὴν ὡς τὸ πρῶτον, ὅτε ἦν κεκρυμμένη. Οὕτως καὶ τὰ τῆς ψυχῆς· ἀφ᾿ ὅτε δημοσιεύεται, οὐ πάντας δύναται πληροφορῆσαι. ### English translation (Claude) Once some old men came to abba Arsenius and begged him earnestly to meet with them. And he opened to them. And they asked him to tell them a word about those who live in stillness and meet no one. The old man says to them, “While a virgin is in her father’s house, many want to be betrothed to her; but when she takes a husband, she does not please everyone; some despise her, others praise her; and she does not have the same honor as at first, when she was hidden. So it is with the things of the soul: from the time they are made public, they cannot satisfy everyone.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 2.44 (PG 65:107; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/2-44). ## Agathon 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-1 - Source: PG 65:107–109 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon warns that familiar freedom of speech is the mother of all passions. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Πέτρος ὁ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Λὼτ, ὅτι Ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀγάθωνος ἤμην ποτὲ, καὶ ἦλθε πρὸς αὐτὸν ἀδελφὸς λέγων· Θέλω οἰκῆσαι μετὰ ἀδελφῶν· εἶπόν μοι πῶς μετ᾿ αὐτῶν οἰκήσω. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ὡς ἐν τῇ πρώτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ὅτε εἰσέρχῃ πρὸς αὐτοὺς, οὕτως φύλαξον τὴν ξενιτείαν σου πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ζωῆς σου, ἵνα μὴ παῤῥησιασθῇς μετ' αὐτῶν. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος Τί γὰρ ποιεῖ ἡ παρρησία; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἔοικεν ἡ παρῥησία καύσωνι μεγάλῳ ὃς ὅταν γένηται, πάντες φεύγουσιν ἀπὸ προσώπου αὐτοῦ, καὶ τῶν δένδρων τὸν καρπὸν διαφθείρει. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Μαχάριος Οὕτως χαλεπή ἐστιν ἡ παῤῥησία; Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀγάθων· Οὐκ ἔστιν ἕτερον πάθος χαλεπώτερον τῆς παῤῥησίας· γεννήτρια γάρ ἐστι πάντων τῶν παθῶν. Πρέπει δὲ τῷ ἐργάτῃ μὴ παρρησιάζεσθαι, κἂν μόνος ᾗ ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ. Οἶδα γὰρ ὅτι ἀδελφὸς ποιήσας χρόνον ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ οἰκῶν, ἔχων τι κοιτωνάριον, εἶπεν, ὅτι Μετέβην ἐκ τοῦ κελλίου, μὴ γνοὺς αὐτὸ τὸ κοιτωνάριον, εἰ μὴ ἕτερός μοι εἶπεν. Ὁ τοιοῦτος ἐργάτης ἐστὶ καὶ πολεμιστής. ἐάσαι τὴν συνείδησιν αὐτοῦ κατηγορῆσαι αὐτοῦ εἰς οἰονδήποτε πρᾶγμα. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Peter, the disciple of abba Lot, said, “Once I was in the cell of abba Agathon, and a brother came to him, saying, ‘I want to live with brothers; tell me how I should live with them.’ The old man says to him, ‘As on the first day when you come in among them, so keep your stranger’s status all the days of your life, so that you do not become too free with them.’ Abba Macarius says to him, ‘And what does freedom of speech do?’ The old man says to him, ‘Freedom of speech is like a great scorching wind: when it comes, everyone flees before it, and it destroys the fruit of the trees.’ Abba Macarius says to him, ‘Is freedom of speech so harmful?’ And abba Agathon said, ‘There is no passion more harmful than freedom of speech; for it is the mother of all the passions. It is fitting for the worker not to be too free, even if he is alone in his cell. For I know a brother who spent a long time living in a cell that had a little sleeping place, and he said, “I moved out of the cell without knowing of the sleeping place, until someone else told me.” Such a one is a worker and a warrior.’” [2] … to let his conscience accuse him in anything. ### Translation notes - παρρησία here is over-familiar freedom of speech. A stray line (“water and a few dates, of which he had …”) is removed. The last words belong to Agathon 2, whose beginning (in other copies: “A monk ought not …”) is lost in the scan; not supplied. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.1 (PG 65:107–109; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1). ## Agathon 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-3 - Source: PG 65:109 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: No virtue grows without keeping God’s commandments. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι ἄνευ φυλακῆς τῶν θείων ἐντολῶν οὐ προβαίνει ἄνθρωπος οὐδὲ εἰς μίαν ἀρετήν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Without keeping the divine commandments a man does not advance in even one virtue.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.3 (PG 65:109; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-3). ## Agathon 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-4 - Source: PG 65:109 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon never went to sleep in a quarrel. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Οὐδέποτε ἐκοιμήθην ἔχων κατά τινος οὐδὲ ἀφῆκά τινα κοιμηθῆναι ἔχοντα κατ' ἐμοῦ, κατὰ τὴν δύναμίν μου. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “I have never gone to sleep holding something against anyone, nor, as far as I could, have I let anyone go to sleep holding something against me.” ### Scripture references - Eph 4:26: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.4 (PG 65:109; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-4). ## Agathon 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-5 - Source: PG 65:109–111 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon accepts every insult except “heretic”; then (saying 6) he abandons a new cell for God’s sake. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀγάθωνος, ὅτι ἀπῆλθόν τινες πρὸς αὐτὸν, ἀκούσαντες ὅτι μεγάλην διάκρισιν ἔχει· καὶ θέλοντες δοκιμάσαι εἰ ὀργίζεται, λέγουσιν αὐτῷ Σὺ εἶ Ἀγάθων; ἀκούομεν περὶ σοῦ ὅτι πόρνος εἶ, καὶ ὑπερήφανος. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ναὶ, οὕτως ἔχει. Καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Σὺ εἶ Ἀγάθων ὁ φλύαρος καὶ κατάλαλος; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ἐγώ εἰμι. Λέγουσι πάλιν· Σὺ εἶ Ἀγάθων ὁ αἱρετικός; Καὶ ἀπεκρίθη· Οὐκ εἰμὶ αἱρετικός. Καὶ παρεκάλεσαν αὐτὸν, λέγοντες· Εἰπὲ ἡμῖν διατί τοσαῦτα εἴπομέν σοι, καὶ κατεδέξω, τὸν δὲ λόγον τοῦτον οὐκ ἐβάστασας; Λέγει αὐτοῖς· Τὰ πρῶτα ἐμαυτῷ ἐπιγράφω ὄφελος γὰρ ἐστι τῇ ψυχῇ μου· τὸ δὲ αἱρετικός, χωρισμός ἐστιν ἀπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ οὐ θέλω χωρισθῆναι ἀπὸ Θεοῦ. Οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες, ἐθαύμασαν τὴν διάκρισιν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀπῆλθον οἰκοδομηθέντες. σ'. Διηγήσαντο περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀγάθωνος, ὅτι ἔμεινε χρόνον ἱκανὸν οἰκοδομῶν κελλίον μετὰ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ· καὶ τελειωσάντων αὐτῶν τὸ κελλίον, ἦλθον λοιπὸν τοῦ καθίσαι. Εἶδε δὲ εἰς τὴν πρώτην ἑβδομάδα πρᾶγμα μὴ ὠφελοῦν αὐτὸν, καὶ λέγει τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ Ἐγείρεσθε, ἄγωμεν ἐντεῦθεν. Ἐταράχθησαν δὲ σφόδρα, λέγοντες· Εἰ΄ ὅλως λογισμὸν εἶχες τοῦ μεταβῆναι, τί τοσοῦτον κόπον ὑπεμείναμεν οἰκοδομήσαντες τὸ κελλίον; καὶ μέλλουσι πάλιν οἱ ἄνθρωποι, σκανδαλισθέντες εἰς ἡμᾶς, λέγειν Ἰδοὺ μετέβησαν πάλιν οἱ ἀκάθιστοι. Ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτοὺς ὀλιγοψυχοῦντας, λέγει αὐτοῖς· Εἰ καὶ σκανδαλίζονταί τινες, ἀλλὰ πάλιν οἰκοδομηθήσονται ἕτεροι, λέγοντες Μακάριοι οἱ τοιοῦτοι, ὅτι διὰ τὸν Θεὸν μετέβησαν, καὶ πάντων κατεφρόνησαν. Πλὴν ὁ θέλων ἐλθεῖν, ἔλθῃ, ἐγὼ τέως ὑπάγω. Ἔβαλον οὖν ἑαυτοὺς εἰς τὸ ἔδαφος, ἀξιοῦντες, ἕως οὗ συγχωρηθῶσιν σὺν αὐτῷ ὁδεῦσαι. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Agathon that some people went to him, having heard that he had great discernment; and wanting to test whether he would get angry, they say to him, “Are you Agathon? We hear about you that you are a fornicator and proud.” He said, “Yes, it is so.” And they say to him, “Are you Agathon the chatterer and slanderer?” He said, “I am.” Again they say, “Are you Agathon the heretic?” And he answered, “I am not a heretic.” And they begged him, saying, “Tell us why you accepted all the things we said to you but did not bear this word.” He says to them, “The first things I ascribe to myself, for it is profitable for my soul; but ‘heretic’ is separation from God, and I do not want to be separated from God.” When they heard this, they marveled at his discernment and went away edified. [6] They related of abba Agathon that he spent a long time building a cell with his disciples; and when they had finished the cell, they came to settle in it. But in the first week he saw something that did not profit him, and he says to his disciples, “Get up, let us go from here.” They were very troubled, saying, “If you had any thought at all of moving, why did we bear so much labor building the cell? And people, offended at us, will say again, ‘Look, the restless ones have moved again.’” Seeing them faint-hearted, he says to them, “Even if some are offended, others again will be edified, saying, ‘Blessed are such people, because they moved for God’s sake and despised everything.’ But whoever wants to come, let him come; I for my part am going.” So they threw themselves on the ground, begging until they were allowed to travel with him. ### Translation notes - The scan runs Agathon 6 (numbered σʹ in the print) into this saying; it is translated here, marked [6]. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.5 (PG 65:109–111; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-5). ## Agathon 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-7 - Source: PG 65:111 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon often moved with nothing but a small knife. ### Greek text Εἶπον πάλιν περὶ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι πολλάκις μετέβη ἔχων τὴν σμίλαν ἑαυτοῦ μόνην εἰς τὸ μαννάδιν ### English translation (Claude) They also said of him that he often moved, having only his small knife in his basket. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.7 (PG 65:111; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-7). ## Agathon 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-8 - Source: PG 65:111 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon compares bodily labor to leaves and inner watchfulness to fruit. ### Greek text Ἠρωτήθη ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀγάθων, τί μεῖζον, ὁ σωματικὸς κόπος, ἢ ἡ φυλακὴ τῶν ἔνδον. Εἶπε δὲ ὁ γέρων· Ἔοικε δένδρῳ ὁ ἄνθρωπος· ὁ τοίνυν σωματικὸς κόπος φύλλα ἐστίν· ἡ δὲ τῶν ἔνδον φυλακὴ ὁ καρπός ἐστιν. Ἐπειδὴ δὲ κατὰ τὸ γεγραμμένον, Πᾶν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται, καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται, φανερόν ἐστιν ὅτι διὰ τὸν καρπόν ἐστιν ἡμῶν ἡ σπουδὴ πᾶσα, τουτέστι τὴν τοῦ νοὸς φυλακήν. Χρεία δὲ ἐστι καὶ τῆς ἐκ τῶν φύλλων σκέπης καὶ εὐκοσμίας, ἅτινά ἐστιν ὁ σωματικὸς κόπος. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Agathon was asked which is greater, bodily labor or guarding what is within. The old man said, “Man is like a tree: bodily labor is the leaves, and guarding what is within is the fruit. Since, as it is written, ‘Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire,’ it is clear that all our effort is for the fruit, that is, the guarding of the mind. But there is need also of the shelter and adornment of the leaves, which is bodily labor.” ### Scripture references - Matt 3:10: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Matt 3:10 (= 7:19). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.8 (PG 65:111; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-8). ## Agathon 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-9 - Source: PG 65:111 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon calls prayer the hardest labor; a note follows on his wisdom and frugality. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησαν αὐτὸν πάλιν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ λέγοντες Ποία ἀρετή ἐστι, Πάτερ, ἐν ταῖς πολιτείαις, ἔχουσα πλείονα κάματον; Λέγει αὐτοῖς· Συγχωρήσατέ μοι, λογίζομαι ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἕτερος κάματος, ὡς τὸ εὔξασθαι τῷ Θεῷ. Πάντοτε γὰρ ὅτε θέλῃ ὁ ἄνθρωπος προσεύξασθαι, βούλονται οἱ ἐχθροὶ ἐκκόψαι αὐτόν οἴδασι γὰρ ὅτι οὐδαμόθεν ἐμποδίζονται, εἰ μὴ ἀπὸ τοῦ εὔξασθαι τῷ Θεῷ. Καὶ πᾶσαν δὲ πολιτείαν ἣν ἂν μετέλθῃ κι ἄνθρωπος, ἐγκαρτερῶν ἐν αὐτῇ, κτᾶται ἀνάπαυσιν· τὸ δὲ εὔξασθαι, ἕως ἐσχάτης ἀναπνοῆς ἀγῶνος χρήζει Ἦν δὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀγάθων σοφὸς ἐν τῷ διανοητικῷ, καὶ ἄοκνος ἐν τῷ σωματικῷ, καὶ αὐτάρκης ἐν πᾶσιν, ἔν τε τῷ ἐργοχείρῳ καὶ τῇ τροφῇ καὶ τῇ ἐσθῆτι. ### English translation (Claude) The brothers also asked him, saying, “Father, which virtue in the monastic life has the most labor?” He says to them, “Forgive me, I think there is no labor like praying to God. For whenever a man wants to pray, the enemies want to cut him off; for they know that nothing hinders them except praying to God. And whatever way of life a man takes up, if he perseveres in it, he gains rest; but prayer needs struggle until the last breath.” [10] Abba Agathon was wise in understanding, tireless in bodily work, and content with little in everything: in handiwork, food, and clothing. ### Translation notes - The last sentence is Agathon 10, run into this saying in the scan; marked [10]. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.9 (PG 65:111; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-9). ## Agathon 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-11 - Source: PG 65:111 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon forbids a disciple to pick up a pea he did not put on the road. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ὧδευε μετὰ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ· καὶ εὑρὼν εἷς ἐξ αὐτῶν μικρὸν ἀράκιον χλωρὸν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, λέγει τῷ γέροντι Πάτερ, κελεύεις λάβω αὐτό; προσέσχεν οὖν ὁ γέρων αὐτῷ θαυμάζων, καὶ λέγει Σὺ ἔθηκας αὐτὸ ἐκεῖ; Λέγει ὁ ἀδελφός· Οὐχί. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Πῶς οὖν θέλεις λαβεῖν ὃ οὐκ ἔθηκας ### English translation (Claude) The same was traveling with his disciples, and one of them, finding a little green pea on the road, says to the old man, “Father, do you bid me take it?” The old man looked at him in astonishment and says, “Did you put it there?” The brother says, “No.” And the old man says, “Then how do you want to take what you did not put there?” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.11 (PG 65:111; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-11). ## Agathon 12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-12 - Source: PG 65:111–113 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon sends a would-be disciple to return natron he had picked up on the road. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀγάθωνα, λέγων· Ἔασόν με οἰκεῖν μετὰ σοῦ. Ἑρχόμενος δὲ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ εὗρε μικρὸν νίτρον, καὶ ἤνεγκεν αὐτό. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων Πόθεν εὗρες τὸ νίτρον; Λέγει ὁ ἀδελφός· Ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ εὗρον αὐτὸ, περιπατῶν, καὶ ἔλαβον αὐτό. Λέγει αὐτῳ ο γέρων· Εἰ μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ ἦλθες οἰκῆσαι, ὃ οὐκ ἔθηκας, πῶς εἴληφας; Καὶ ἔπεμψεν αὐτὸν ἀπενεγκεῖν αὐτὸ, ὅθεν εἴληφεν αὐτό. ### English translation (Claude) A brother came to abba Agathon, saying, “Let me live with you.” On the way he had found a little natron and brought it. And the old man says, “Where did you find the natron?” The brother says, “I found it on the road as I was walking, and I took it.” The old man says to him, “If you have come to live with me, how did you take what you did not put there?” And he sent him to take it back where he had taken it from. ### Translation notes - A stray line from another saying (“they kill no one; and if they find anything on the road, gold or a garment or silver or anything else”) is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.12 (PG 65:111–113; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-12). ## Agathon 13 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-13 - Source: PG 65:113 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon says he would obey a command despite the spiritual war it brings. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν γέροντα λέγων· Ἐντολή μοι ἔφθασε, καὶ ἔστι πόλεμος ὅπου ἐστὶν ἡ ἐντολή. Θέλω οὖν ἀπελθεῖν δι' αὐτὴν, καὶ φοβοῦμαι τὸν πόλεμον. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Εἰ ἦν Ἁγάθων ἐποίει τὴν ἐντολὴν, καὶ ἐνίκα τὸν πόλεμον. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked the old man, saying, “A command has come to me, and there is war where the command is. I want to go because of the command, and I fear the war.” And the old man says to him, “If it were Agathon, he would carry out the command and overcome the war.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.13 (PG 65:113; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-13). ## Agathon 14 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-14 - Source: PG 65:113 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon challenges a council’s decision, citing the psalm’s call to judge uprightly. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς Ἀγάθων, συνεδρίου γενομένου περὶ πράγματός τινος ἐν Σκήτει, καὶ λαβόντος τύπον, ὕστερον ἐλθὼν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Οὐ καλῶς ἑτυπώσατε τὸ πρᾶγμα. Οἱ δὲ εἶπον πρὸς αὐτόν· Σὺ τίς εἶ ὅτι ὅλως λαλεῖς Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Υἱὸς ἀνθρώπου. Γέγραπται γάρ· Εἰ ἀληθῶς ἄρα δικαιοσύνην λαλεῖτε, εὐθείας κρίνατε, υἱοὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων. ### English translation (Claude) When a council was held at Scetis about some matter and a decision had been made, the same Agathon came afterward and said to them, “You have not decided the matter well.” They said to him, “Who are you to speak at all?” He said, “A son of man. For it is written, ‘If you truly speak righteousness, judge uprightly, sons of men.’” ### Scripture references - Ps 58:1 (57:2 LXX): quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Ps 58:1 (LXX 57:2). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.14 (PG 65:113; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-14). ## Agathon 15 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-15 - Source: PG 65:113 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon kept a stone in his mouth for three years to learn silence. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀγάθωνος, ὅτι τρία ἔτη ἐποίησεν, ἔχων λίθον εἰς τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ, ἕως οὗ κατώρθωσε τὸ σιωπᾶν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Agathon that he spent three years with a stone in his mouth, until he had mastered silence. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.15 (PG 65:113; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-15). ## Agathon 16 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-16 - Source: PG 65:113 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon and Amoun bought and sold without haggling, in silence. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον πάλιν περὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἀββα Ἀμοῦν, ὅτι ὅτε ἐπίπρασκον σκεῦος, ἅπαξ ἔλεγον τὴν τιμὴν, καὶ τὸ διδόμενον αὐτοῖς ἐλάμβανον σιωπῶντες μετὰ ἀναπαύσεως· καὶ πάλιν ὅτε ἤθελον ἀγοράσαι τί ποτε, τὸ λεγόμενον αὐτοῖς παρεῖχον μετὰ σιωπῆς, καὶ ἐλάμβανον τὸ σκεῦος, καθόλου μὴ φθεγγόμενοι. ### English translation (Claude) They also said of him and of abba Amoun that when they sold an article, they would name the price once and take what was given them in silence and with tranquility; and again, when they wanted to buy something, they would pay what was asked in silence and take the article, not uttering a word at all. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.16 (PG 65:113; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-16). ## Agathon 17 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-17 - Source: PG 65:113 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon counted all exchange as charity, since a brother’s gain bears fruit. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἀββᾶς Ἀγάθων εἶπεν, ὅτι Οὐδέποτε ἔδωκα ἀγάπην ἀλλὰ τὸ δοῦναι καὶ λαβεῖν ἀγάπη μοι ἦν· λογιζόμενος ὅτι τὸ κέρδος τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ μου, ἔργον καρποφορίας ἐστίν. ### English translation (Claude) The same abba Agathon said, “I have never given alms; but giving and receiving was alms to me, reckoning that my brother’s gain is a work that bears fruit.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.17 (PG 65:113; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-17). ## Agathon 18 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-18 - Source: PG 65:113 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon stilled judgmental thoughts by warning himself not to do the same. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ὅτε ἔβλεπε πρᾶγμα, καὶ ἤθελεν ὁ λογισμὸς αὐτοῦ κρῖναι, ἔλεγεν ἑαυτῷ· Ἀγάθων, μὴ ποιήσῃς αὐτὸ σύ. Καὶ οὗτος δὲ ὁ λογισμὸς αὐτοῦ ἡσύχαζεν. ### English translation (Claude) When the same saw something and his thought wanted to judge it, he would say to himself, “Agathon, do not do it yourself.” And so his thought became quiet. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.18 (PG 65:113; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-18). ## Agathon 19 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-19 - Source: PG 65:113 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Even miracles do not make an angry man acceptable to God. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς εἶπεν· Ἐὰν ὀργίλος νεκρὸν ἐγείρῃ, οὐκ ἔστι δεκτὸς παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ. ### English translation (Claude) The same said, “If an angry man raises a dead man, he is not acceptable to God.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.19 (PG 65:113; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-19). ## Agathon 20 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-20 - Source: PG 65:113–115 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon tells a disciple who fasts two days and still eats little that he carries a double battle. ### Greek text Ἔσχε ποτὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀγάθων δύο μαθητὰς ἀναχωροῦντας κατ᾿ ἰδίαν. Ἐν μιᾷ οὖν τῶν ἡμερῶν, ἠρώτησε τὸν ἕνα· Πῶς διάγεις ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ σου; Ο δὲ ἔφη Νηστεύω ἕως ὀψὲ, καὶ ἐσθίω δύο παξαμάτια. Λέγει αὐτῷ· Καλὴ δίαιτα, οὐ πάνυ ἔχουσα κόπον. Λέγει καὶ τῷ ἄλλῳ· Σὺ πῶς; Ὁ δὲ ἔφη. Δύο δύο νηστεύω, καὶ δύο παξαμάτια ἐσθίω. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Κοπιᾷς τόνῳ, δύο πολέμους βαστάζων· ὅτι ἐάν τις ἐσθίῃ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν καὶ οὐ χορτάζηται, κοπιᾷ. Ἔστι δὲ ἄλλος, νηστεύειν θέλων δύο δύο καὶ χορτάζεσθαι· σὺ δὲ διπλᾶς νηστεύων οὐ χορτάζῃ. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Agathon had two disciples who lived as anchorites each on his own. One day he asked one of them, “How do you live in your cell?” He said, “I fast until evening, and I eat two biscuits.” He says to him, “A good rule, without too much labor.” He says also to the other, “And you?” He said, “I fast two days at a time, and I eat two biscuits.” And the old man says to him, “You labor hard, carrying two wars: for if someone eats every day and does not eat his fill, he labors; and there is another who wants to fast two days at a time and eat his fill; but you, fasting double, do not eat your fill.” ### Translation notes - The scan interleaves this saying’s lines with Migne’s variant notes; the Greek lines are put back in order and the notes removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.20 (PG 65:113–115; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-20). ## Agathon 21 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-21 - Source: PG 65:115 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon tells a brother tempted to sexual sin to cast his weakness before God. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀγάθωνα περὶ τῆς πορνείας. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ὕπαγε, ῥίψον ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ τὴν ἀδυναμίαν σου, καὶ ἕξεις ἀνάπαυσιν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Agathon about sexual immorality. And he says to him, “Go, cast your weakness before God, and you will have rest.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.21 (PG 65:115; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-21). ## Agathon 22 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-22 - Source: PG 65:115 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon rebukes an old man who mocked Jacob’s grief, citing Paul: if God justifies, who condemns? ### Greek text Ἠσθένησέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀγάθων καὶ ἄλλος τις τῶν γερόντων· Ἀνακειμένων δὲ αὐτῶν ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ, ἀνεγίνωσκεν ὁ ἀδελφὸςεἰς τὴν Γένεσιν, καὶ ἔρχεται εἰς τὸ κεφάλαιον ὅπου λέγει ὁ Ἰακώβ· Ἰωσὴφ οὐκ ἔστι, Συμεὼν οὐκ ἔστι, καὶ τὸν Βενιαμὶν λήψεσθε· καὶ καθέξετε μου τὸ γῆρας μετὰ λύπης εἰς ᾄδου Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ γέρων εἶπεν· Οὐκ ἀρκοῦσί σοι οἱ ἄλλοι δέκα, ἀββᾶ Ἰακώβ; Λέγει ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀγάθων· Παῦσαι, γέρων. Εἰ ὁ Θεὸς ὁ δικαιῶν, τίς ὁ κατακρίνων; ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Agathon and another of the old men fell ill. As they lay in the cell, the brother was reading Genesis, and he comes to the chapter where Jacob says, “Joseph is not, Simeon is not, and you will take Benjamin; and you will bring down my old age with grief to Hades.” And the old man answered and said, “Are the other ten not enough for you, abba Jacob?” Abba Agathon says, “Stop, old man. If God is the one who justifies, who is the one who condemns?” ### Scripture references - Gen 42:36: quotation, high confidence - Gen 42:38: quotation, high confidence - Rom 8:33: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotations of Gen 42:36, 38 and Rom 8:33–34. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.22 (PG 65:115; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-22). ## Agathon 23 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-23 - Source: PG 65:115 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon cuts off even a dear friend who leads him into fault. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀγάθων· Ἀγαπητός μού τις ἐὰν ᾗ καθ' ὑπερβολὴν, καὶ γνῶ ὅτι κατάγει με εἰς ἐλάττωμα, ἀποκόπτω αὐτὸν ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Agathon said, “If someone is exceedingly dear to me, and I know that he is leading me into some fault, I cut him off from me.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.23 (PG 65:115; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-23). ## Agathon 24 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-24 - Source: PG 65:115 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: One should always keep God’s judgment in mind. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Χρὴ τὸν ἄνθρωπον εἶναι πᾶσαν ὥραν προσέχοντα τῷ κριτηρίῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “A man must at every hour attend to the judgment of God.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.24 (PG 65:115; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-24). ## Agathon 25 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-25 - Source: PG 65:115 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon gave away his knife to the brother who admired it. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωσὴφ, ἀδελφῶν λαλούντων περὶ ἀγάπης, ὅτι Ἡμεῖς οἴδαμεν τί ἐστιν ἀγάπη; Καὶ εἶπε περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀγάθωνος, ὅτι σμιλίον εἶχε, καὶ ἦλθε πρὸς αὐτὸν ἀδελφὸς, καὶ ἐπήνεσεν αὐτὸ, καὶ οὐκ ἀφῆκεν αὐτὸν ἐξελθεῖν, εἰ μὴ ἔλαβε τὸ σμιλίον. ### English translation (Claude) When brothers were talking about love, abba Joseph said, “Do we know what love is?” And he said of abba Agathon that he had a little knife, and a brother came to him and praised it, and he did not let him leave until he had taken the knife. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.25 (PG 65:115; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-25). ## Agathon 26 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-26 - Source: PG 65:115 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon would gladly exchange bodies with a leper as an act of perfect love. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀγάθων, ὅτι Εἰ δυνατὸν ἦν μοι εὑρεῖν λεπρὸν καὶ δοῦναι αὐτῷ τὸ ἐμὸν σῶμα, καὶ λαβεῖν τὸ αὐτοῦ, ἡδέως εἶχον. Αὕτη γάρ ἐστιν ἡ τελεία ἀγάπη. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Agathon said, “If I could find a leper and give him my body and take his, I would gladly do it. For this is perfect love.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.26 (PG 65:115; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-26). ## Agathon 27 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-27 - Source: PG 65:115 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon nursed a sick stranger in the city for four months. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον πάλιν περὶ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἐλθών ποτε πωλῆσαι σκεύη ἐν τῇ πόλει, εὖρεν ἄνθρωπον ξένον ἐν τῇ πλατείᾳ ἐῤῥιμμένον ἄῤῥωστον, μὴ ἔχοντα τὸν ἐπιμελούμενον· καὶ ἔμεινε σὺν αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων λαβὼν ἐνοικίου κελλίον, καὶ ἐκ τοῦ ἐργοχείρου παρείχε τὸ ἐνοίκιον, καὶ τὰ λοιπὰ εἰς τὴν τοῦ ἀῤῥώστου χρείαν ἀνἡλισκε· καὶ ἔμεινε τετράμηνον, ἕως οὗ ἰάθη ὁ ἄῤῥωστος. Καὶ οὕτως ὁ γέρων ἀπῆλθεν εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ μετ' εἰρήνης. ### English translation (Claude) They also said of him that once when he came to sell articles in the city, he found a stranger lying sick in the street, with no one to care for him. And the old man stayed with him, renting a room; he paid the rent from his handiwork and spent the rest on the sick man’s needs. And he stayed four months, until the sick man was healed. And so the old man went back to his cell in peace. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.27 (PG 65:115; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-27). ## Agathon 28 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-28 - Source: PG 65:115–117 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon rebukes his favored disciple publicly to heal the others’ resentment, then comforts him. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Δανιὴλ, ὅτι Πρὶν ἔλθῃ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος πρὸς τοὺς Πατέρας μου, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔμειναν μετὰ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀγάθωνος. Ἡγάπα δὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀγάθων τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀλέξανδρον, ὅτι ἀσκητὴς ἦν καὶ ἐπιεικής. Συνέβη δὲ ὅλους τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ πλύνειν τὰ θρύα εἰς τὸν ποταμόν· καὶ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀλέξανδρος ἐπιεικῶς ἔπλυνεν. Οἱ δὲ λοιποὶ ἀδελφοὶ εἶπον τῷ γέροντι· Ὁ ἀδελφὸς Ἀλέξανδρος οὐδὲν ποιεῖ. Καὶ θέλων αὐτοὺς θεραπεῦσαι, εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἀδελφὲ Ἀλέξανδρε, καλῶς πλῦνον αὐτὰ ὅτι λινάριά εἰσι. Καὶ ὡς ἤκουσεν ἐλυπήθη. Καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα παρεκάλεσεν αὐτὸν ὁ γέρων, λέγων· Μὴ γὰρ οὐκ ᾔδειν ὅτι καλῶς ποιεῖς; ἀλλὰ τοῦτο εἶπόν σοι ἐπὶ αὐτῶν, ἵνα θεραπεύσω αὐτῶν τὸν λογισμὸν ἐν τῇ σῇ ὑπακοῆ, ἀδελφέ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Daniel said, “Before abba Arsenius came to my Fathers, they too lived with abba Agathon. Abba Agathon loved abba Alexander, because he was an ascetic and gentle. It happened that all his disciples were washing rushes in the river, and abba Alexander washed gently. The other brothers said to the old man, ‘Brother Alexander does nothing.’ And wanting to heal them, he said to him, ‘Brother Alexander, wash them well, because they are linen.’ When he heard it, he was grieved. And afterward the old man comforted him, saying, ‘Did I not know that you were doing well? But I said this to you in front of them in order to heal their thought through your obedience, brother.’” ### Translation notes - Leaked variant notes are removed. θρύα are rushes used for weaving; Agathon calls them “linen” in gentle irony (or the scan is corrupt here). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.28 (PG 65:115–117; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-28). ## Agathon 29 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-29 - Source: PG 65:117 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Agathon, dying, stands in spirit before God’s judgment, unsure whether his work has pleased God. ### Greek text Διηγήσαντο περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀγάθωνος, ὅτι ἐσπούδαζε ποιεῖν πᾶσαν ἐντολήν. Καὶ εἰ διέβαινεν εἰς πορθμεῖον, αὐτὸς πρῶτος ἐκράτει τὴν κώπην· καὶ ὅτε παρέβαλον αὐτῷ ἀδελφοὶ, εὐθέως ἀπὸ τῆς εὐχῆς ἡ χεὶρ αὐτοῦ τὴν τράπεζαν ἐτίθει ἦν γὰρ μεστὸς ἀγάπης Θεοῦ. Μέλλοντος δὲ αὐτοῦ τελευτᾷν, ἔμεινε τρεῖς ἡμέρας ἀνεῳγμένους ἔχων τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς μὴ κινουμένους. Ἔνυξαν δὲ αὐτὸν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ λέγοντες· Ἀββᾶ Ἀγάθων, ποῦ εἶ; Λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ἐνώπιον τοῦ κριτηρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ ἵσταμαι. Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ Καὶ σὺ φοβῇ, Πάτερ; Λέγει αὐτοῖς· Τέως ἐποίησα τὴν δύναμίν μου εἰς τὸ φυλάξαι τὰς ἐντολὰς τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀλλ᾽ ἄνθρωπός εἰμι· πόθεν οἶδα εἰ τὸ ἔργον μου εὐηρέστησε τῷ Θεῷ; Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ οἱ ἀδελφοί· Οὐκ εἶ πεποιθὼς ἐπὶ τὸ ἔργον σου, ὅτι κατὰ Θεόν ἐστιν; Λέγει ὁ γέρων Οὐ θαῤῥῶ, εἰ μὴ τῷ Θεῷ ἀπαντήσω. Ἕτερον γάρ ἐστι τὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ κριτήριον, καὶ ἕτερον τὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων. Ὡς δὲ ἤθελον ἐρωτῆσαι αὐτὸν ἕτερον λόγον, λέγει αὐτοῖς Ποιήσατε ἀγάπην, μὴ λαλεῖτε ἄρτι μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ, ὅτι ἀσχολοῦμαι. Καὶ ἐτελειώθη ἐν χαρᾷ. Ἑώρων γὰρ αὐτὸν ἀναγόμενον, ὃν τρόπον τις ἀσπάζεται τοὺς ἑαυτοῦ φίλους καὶ ἀγαπητούς. Εἶχε δὲ φυλακὴν μεγάλην ἐν πᾶσι, καὶ ἔλεγεν· Ἄνευ φυλακῆς μεγάλης οὐ προβαίνει ἄνθρωπος οὔτε εἰς μίαν ἀρετήν. ### English translation (Claude) They related of abba Agathon that he was eager to do every commandment. If he crossed by ferry, he himself was the first to take the oar; and when brothers visited him, immediately after the prayer his hand would set the table; for he was full of the love of God. When he was about to die, he remained three days with his eyes open, not moving them. The brothers nudged him, saying, “Abba Agathon, where are you?” He says to them, “I am standing before the judgment seat of God.” They say to him, “Are you afraid too, father?” He says to them, “So far I have done what I could to keep the commandments of God; but I am a man; how do I know whether my work has pleased God?” The brothers say to him, “Are you not confident that your work is according to God?” The old man says, “I have no confidence until I meet God. For the judgment of God is one thing, and that of men another.” When they wanted to ask him another word, he says to them, “Do me the kindness: do not talk with me now, for I am occupied.” And he died in joy; for they saw him departing as one greets his friends and loved ones. He kept great watch in all things, and used to say, “Without great watchfulness a man does not advance in even one virtue.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.29 (PG 65:117; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-29). ## Agathon 30; Ammonas 1–11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-3-30 - Source: PG 65:117–123 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: An angel disguised as a cripple tests Agathon’s charity; the sayings of abba Ammonas follow. ### Greek text Εἰσῆλθέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀγάθων εἰς τὴν πόλιν πωλῆσαι μικρὰ σκεύη, καὶ εὑρίσκει τινὰ λελωβημένον δι παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ λελωβημένος· Ποῦ ὑπάγεις; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀγάθων· Εἰς τὴν πόλιν πωλῆσαι σκεύη. Λέγει αὐτῷ· Ποίησον ἀγάπην, καὶ ἆρόν με ἐκεῖ. Καὶ βαστάσας αὐτὸν, ἀπήνεγκεν εἰς τὴν πόλιν. Λέγει αὐτῷ· Ὅπου πωλεῖς τὰ σκεύη, ἐκεῖ με θές. Ἐποίησε δὲ οὕτως. Καὶ ὅτε ἐπώλησε σκεῦος, ἔλεγεν αὐτῷ ὁ λελωβημένος Πόσου ἐπώλησας αὐτό; Καὶ ἔλεγε τόσου. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτῷ· Ἀγόρασόν μοι πλακοῦντιν Καὶ ἠγόραζε. Καὶ πάλιν ἐπώλει ἄλλο σκεῦος. Καὶ ἔλεγε· Καὶ τοῦτο πόσου; Καὶ ἔλεγε Τόσου. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτῷ· Ἀγόρασόν μοι τόδε. Καὶ ἡγόραζε. Μετὰ οὖν τὸ πωλῆσαι ὅλα τὰ σκεύη, καὶ θέλειν ἀπελθεῖν, λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ λελωβημένος· Ὑπάγεις; Λέγει αὐτῷ Ναί. Καὶ λέγει· Ποίησον πάλιν ἀγάπην, καὶ ἄρον ὅπου με εὗρες. Καὶ βαστάσας αὐτὸν, ἤνεγκεν εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Εὐλογημένος εἶ, Ἀγάθων, ὑπὸ Κυρίου ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς. Καὶ ἄρας τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ οὐδένα εἶδεν· ἦν γὰρ ἄγγελος Κυρίου ἐλθὼν δοκιμάσαι αὐτόν. Περὶ του ἀββᾶ Ἀμμωνᾶ. α'. Ἀδελφός ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀμμωνᾶν, λέγων· Εἰπέ μοι ῥῆμα. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ὕπαγε, ποίησον τὸν λογισμόν σου, ὥσπερ οἱ κακοῦργοι ποιοῦσιν οἱ ὄντες ἐν τῇ φυλακῇ. Ἐκεῖνοι γὰρ ἐρωτῶσιν ἀεὶ τοὺς ἀνθρώπους, ποῦ ἔστιν ὁ ἡγεμὼν καὶ πότε ἔρχεται, καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς προσδοκίας κλαίουσιν. Οὕτως καὶ ὁ μοναχὸς ὀφείλει διαπαντὸς προσέχειν, καὶ ἐλέγχειν τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν, λέγων· Οὐαί μοι Πῶς ἔχω παραστῆναι τῷ βήματι τοῦ Χριστοῦ; καὶ πῶς ἔχω αὐτῷ ἀπολογήσασθαι; Ἐὰν οὕτως μελετήσῃς διαπαντὸς, δύνασαι σωθῆναι. β'. Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀμμωνᾶ, ὅτι καὶ βασιλίσκον ἀπέκτεινεν. Ἀπελθὼν γὰρ εἰς τὴν ἔρημον ἀντλῆσαι ὕδωρ ἀπὸ λάκκου, καὶ ἰδὼν τὸν βασιλίσκον, ἔβαλεν αὐτὸν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον, λέγων· Κύριε, εἰ ἐγὼ ἔχω ἀποθανεῖν, ἢ οὗτος. Καὶ εὐθέως ὁ βασιλίσκος ἐν τῇ δυνάμει τοῦ Χριστοῦ διεῤῥάγη. γ'. Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Αμμωνᾶς, ὅτι Δεκατέσσαρα ἔτη ἐποίησα ἐν Σκήτει δεόμενος τοῦ Θεοῦ νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας, ἵνα μοι χαρίσηται νικῆσαι τὴν ὀργήν. δ΄. Διηγήσατό τις τῶν Πατέρων, ὅτι ἦν τις γέρων πονικὸς εἰς τὰ Κελλία φορῶν ψιάθιον· καὶ ἀπελθὼν παρέβαλε τῷ ἀββᾷ Αμμωνᾷ. Εἶδε δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ γέρων φοροῦντα τὸ ψιάθιον, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Τοῦτο οὐδέν σε ὠφελεῖ. Καὶ ἠρώτησεν αὐτὸν ὁ γέρων, λέγων· Τρεῖς λογισμοὶ ὀχλοῦσί μοι· ἢ τὸ πλάζεσθαι ἐν ταῖς ἐρήμοις ἢ ἵνα ἀπέλθω ἐπὶ ξένης ὅπου οὐδείς με ἐπιγινώσκει, ἢ ἵνα ἐγκλείσω ἑαυτὸν εἰς κελλίον, καὶ μηδενὶ ἀπαντήσω, διὰ δύο ἐσθίων. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀμμωνᾶς· Οὐδὲν ἐκ τῶν τριῶν συμφέρει σοι ποιῆσαι· ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον κάθου εἰς τὸ κελλίον σου, καὶ ἔσθιε μικρὸν καθ' ἡμέραν· καὶ ἔχε διαπαντὸς τὸν λόγον τοῦ τελώνου ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου· καὶ δύνασαι σωθῆναι. ε΄. Ἀδελφοῖς συνέβη θλίψις ἐν τῷ τόπῳ αὐτῶν, καὶ θέλοντες καταλιπεῖν αὐτὸν, ἀπῆλθον πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Αμμωνᾶν. Καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ γέρων κατέπλες, καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτοὺς παρὰ τὴν ὄχθαν ὁδεύοντας τοῦ ποταμοῦ, εἶπε τοῖς ναύταις· Βάλετέ με εἰς τὴν γῆν. Καὶ καλέσας τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἐγώ εἰμι Αμμωνᾶς, πρὸς ὂν θέλετε ἐλθεῖν. Καὶ παρακαλέσας αὐτῶν τὰς καρδίας, ἐποίησεν αὐτοὺς ὑποστρέψαι ὅθεν ἐξῆλθον. Οὐ γὰρ εἶχε τὸ πρᾶγμα ζημίαν ψυχῆς, ἀλλὰ θλίψιν ἀνθρωπίνην. ς'. Ἦλθέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Αμμωνᾶς περάσαι τὸν ποταμὸν, καὶ εὖρε τὸ πορθμεῖον φιλοκαλημένον καὶ παρεκαθέσθη αὐτῷ· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄλλο σκάφος εἰς τὸν τόπον ἦλθε, καὶ ἐπέρασε τοὺς ὄντας ἀνθρώπους. Καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Δεῦρο καὶ σὺ ἀββᾶ, πέρασον μεθ' ἡμῶν. Ὁ δὲ λέγει Εἰ μὴ εἰς τὸ δημόσιον πορθμεῖον οὐκ ἀναβαίνω. Εἶχε δὲ δέσμην θαλλίων, καὶ ἐκάθητο πλέκων σειρὰν, καὶ πάλιν λύων αὐτὴν, ἕως οὗ γέγονε τὸ σε πορθμεῖον. Καὶ οὕτως ἐπέρασεν. Ἔβαλον οὖν αὐτῷ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ μετάνοιαν, λέγοντες Τί τοῦτο ἐποίησας; Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Ἵνα μὴ πάντοτε σπουδάζοντος τοῦ λογισμοῦ περιπατῶ. Ἀλλὰ καὶ τοῦτο ὑπόδειγμά ἐστιν, ἵνα μετὰ καταστάσεως βαδίζωμεν τὴν ὁδὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ. ζ'. Ἀπῆλθέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἁμμωνᾶς παραβαλεῖν τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀντωνίῳ, καὶ ἐπλανήθη τὴν ὁδόν· καὶ καθίσας ἐκοιμήθη μικρόν· καὶ ἀναστὰς ἐκ τοῦ ὕπνου, εὔξατο τῷ Θεῷ, λέγων· Δέομαί σου, Κύριε ὁ Θεός μου, μὴ ἀπολέσῃς τὸ πλάσμα σου. Καὶ ὤφθη αὐτῷ ὡς χεὶρ ἀνθρώπου κρεμαμένη ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, δεικνύουσα αὐτῷ τὴν ὁδὸν, ἕως οὗ ἦλθε καὶ ἔστη κατὰ τοῦ σπηλαίου τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀντωνίου. η'. Τούτῳ τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀμμωνᾷ προεφήτευσεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος, λέγων, ὅτι Ἔχεις προκόψαι εἰς τὸν φόβον τοῦ Θεοῦ. Καὶ ἐξήγαγεν αὐτὸν ἔξω τοῦ κελλίου, καὶ ἔδειξεν αὐτῷ λίθον, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ὕβρισον τὸν λίθον τοῦτον καὶ τύψον αὐτόν. Ὁ δὲ ἐποίησεν οὕτως. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος Μὴ ἐλάλησεν ὁ λίθος; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Οὐχί. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος· Οὕτω καὶ σὺ καταλαβεῖν μέλλεις τοῦτο τὸ μέτρον. "Ο καὶ ἐγένετο. Προέκοψε γὰρ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀμμωνᾶς οὕτως, ὡς ἀπὸ πολλῆς ἀγαθότητος μηκέτι εἰδέναι τὴν κακίαν. Ἐν οἷς γενομένου αὐτοῦ ἐπισκόπου, προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ παρθένον λαβοῦσαν ἐν γαστρὶ, καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ Ὁ δεῖνα ἐποίησε τοῦτο δὸς αὐτοῖς ἐπιτιμίαν. Ὁ δὲ σφραγίσας αὐτῆς τὴν κοιλίαν, ἐκέλευσε δοθῆναι αὐτῇ ἐξ ζυγὰς σινδονίων, λέγων· Μήποτε ὡς ἀπέρχεται γεννῆσαι, ἀποθάνῃ ἢ αὐτὴ ἢ τὸ παιδίον, καὶ μὴ εὕρῃ κηδευθῆναι. Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ οἱ κατ᾿ αὐτῆς ἐντυχόντες· Τί τοῦτο ἐποίησας; δὸς αὐτοῖς ἐπιτιμίαν. Ὁ δὲ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Βλέπετε, ἀδελφοὶ, ὅτι ἐγγὺς ἐστι τοῦ θανάτου καὶ τί ἔχω ἐγὼ ποιῆσαι; Καὶ ἀπέλυσεν αὐτήν· καὶ οὐκ ἐτόλμησεν ὁ γέρων κατακρῖναί τινα. θ'. Ἔλεγον περὶ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι τινὲς ἦλθον δικασθῆναι παρ' αὐτῷ. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἐμωροποίει. Καὶ ἰδοὺ γυνή τις ἔστη πλησίον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔλεγεν Οὗτος ὁ γέρων σαλός ἐστιν. Ἤκουσεν οὖν αὐτῆς ὁ γέρων, καὶ φωνήσας αὐτὴν λέγει· Πόσους κόπους ἐποίησα ἐν ταῖς ἐρήμοις, ἵνα κτήσωμαι τὴν σαλότητα ταύτην, καὶ διὰ σὲ ἔχω ἀπολέσαι αὐτὴν σήμερον! ι'. Ἦλθέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀμμωνᾶς εἰς τόπον γεύσασθαι, καὶ ἦν ἐκεῖ εἷς ἔχων φήμην κακήν· καὶ συνέβη ἐλθεῖν τὴν γυναῖκα, καὶ εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὸ κελλίον τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ τοῦ ἔχοντος τὴν κακὴν φήμην. Μαθόντες οὖν οἱ οἰκοῦντες εἰς τὸν τόπον ἐκεῖνον, ἐταράχθησαν, καὶ συνήχθησαν, ὥστε διῶξαι αὐτὸν ἐκ τοῦ κελλίου. Καὶ γνόντες ὅτι ὁ ἐπίσκοπος Αμμωνᾶς εἰς τὸν τόπον ἐκεῖνόν ἐστιν, ἐλθόντες παρεκάλεσαν αὐτὸν, ὅπως παραγένηται σὺν αὐτοῖς. Ὡς δὲ γνῶ ὁ ἀδελφὸς, λαβὼν τὴν γυναῖκα ἔκρυψεν εἰς πίθον μέγαν. Παραγενομένου δὲ τοῦ πλήθους, εἶδεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀμμωνᾶς τὸ γενόμενον, καὶ διὰ τὸν Θεὸν ἐσκέπασε τὸ πρᾶγμα· καὶ εἰσελθὼν ἐκάθισεν ἐπάνω τοῦ πίθου, καὶ ἐκέλευσε ζητηθῆναι τὸ κελλίον. Ὡς οὖν ἐψηλάφησαν, καὶ οὐχ εὖρον τὴν γυναῖκα, εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀμμωνᾶς· Τί ἐστι τοῦτο; ὁ Θεὸς συγχωρήσει το ὑμῖν. Καὶ εὐξάμενος ἐποίησε πάντας ἀναχωρῆσαι· καὶ κατασχὼν τὴν χεῖρα τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ, εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Πρόσεχε σεαυτῷ, ἀδελφέ. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν, ἀνεχώρησεν. ια΄. Ἠρωτήθη ὁ ἀββᾶς Αμμωνᾶς, τίς ἐστιν ἡ ὁδὸς ἡ στενὴ καὶ τεθλιμμένη· καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· Ἡ ὁδὸς ἡ στενὴ καὶ τεθλιμμένη αὕτη ἐστί· τὸ βιάζεσθαι τοὺς λογισμοὺς ἑαυτοῦ, καὶ κόπτειν διὰ τὸν Θεὸν τὰ ἴδια θελήματα καὶ τοῦτό ἐστι τὸ, Ἰδοὺ ἡμεῖς ἀφήκαμεν πάντα, καὶ ἠκολουθήσαμέν σοι. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Agathon went into the city to sell small articles, and he finds a cripple by the road. The cripple says to him, “Where are you going?” Abba Agathon says to him, “To the city to sell articles.” He says to him, “Do me a kindness and carry me there.” And he picked him up and carried him to the city. He says to him, “Put me where you sell the articles.” And he did so. And when he sold an article, the cripple would say to him, “How much did you sell it for?” And he would say, “So much.” And he would say to him, “Buy me a cake.” And he would buy it. And again he would sell another article. And he would say, “And this one, how much?” And he would say, “So much.” And he would say to him, “Buy me this.” And he would buy it. So after selling all the articles, when he wanted to leave, the cripple says to him, “Are you going?” He says to him, “Yes.” And he says, “Do me a kindness again and carry me where you found me.” And picking him up, he carried him to his place. And he says to him, “Blessed are you, Agathon, by the Lord in heaven and on earth.” And lifting his eyes he saw no one; for it was an angel of the Lord who had come to test him. [On abba Ammonas] [1] A brother asked abba Ammonas, saying, “Tell me a word.” And the old man says, “Go, make your thought like that of the criminals who are in prison. For they always ask people where the governor is and when he is coming, and they weep in anticipation. So the monk too ought always to pay attention and rebuke his own soul, saying, ‘Woe is me! How shall I stand before the judgment seat of Christ? And how shall I make my defense to him?’ If you meditate like this always, you can be saved.” [2] They said of abba Ammonas that he even killed a basilisk. For going into the desert to draw water from a cistern and seeing the basilisk, he threw himself on his face, saying, “Lord, either I must die, or this.” And at once the basilisk burst apart by the power of Christ. [3] Abba Ammonas said, “I spent fourteen years at Scetis asking God night and day to grant me to overcome anger.” [4] One of the Fathers related that there was a hard-working old man in the Cells who wore a mat; and he went and visited abba Ammonas. The old man saw him wearing the mat and says to him, “This does you no good.” And the old man asked him, saying, “Three thoughts trouble me: either to wander in the deserts, or to go to a foreign land where no one knows me, or to shut myself in a cell, meet no one, and eat every two days.” Abba Ammonas says to him, “None of the three is good for you to do; rather, sit in your cell, eat a little every day, and always have the word of the tax collector in your heart; and you can be saved.” [5] Affliction came upon some brothers in their place, and wanting to leave it, they went to abba Ammonas. And look, the old man was sailing downstream, and seeing them walking along the bank of the river, he said to the sailors, “Put me ashore.” And calling the brothers, he said to them, “I am Ammonas, to whom you want to come.” And comforting their hearts, he made them return to where they had come from. For the matter was not harm to the soul, but human affliction. [6] Once abba Ammonas came to cross the river, and he found the ferry made ready and sat down beside it; and look, another boat came to the place and took across the people who were there. And they say to him, “Come too, abba, cross with us.” But he says, “I will not get on except into the public ferry.” He had a bundle of palm leaves, and he sat plaiting rope and then undoing it, until the ferry was ready. And so he crossed. The brothers made a prostration to him, saying, “Why did you do this?” And the old man says to them, “So that I may not always walk with my thought in a hurry.” This too is an example, that we should walk the way of God with composure. [7] Once abba Ammonas went to visit abba Antony, and he lost his way; and sitting down he slept a little; and getting up from sleep, he prayed to God, saying, “I beg you, Lord my God, do not destroy your creature.” And there appeared to him something like a man’s hand hanging from heaven, showing him the way, until he came and stood at abba Antony’s cave. [8] Abba Antony prophesied to this abba Ammonas, saying, “You will advance in the fear of God.” And he led him out of the cell and showed him a stone and said to him, “Insult this stone and strike it.” And he did so. And abba Antony says to him, “Did the stone say anything?” He said, “No.” And abba Antony says to him, “So you too will reach this measure.” Which also happened. For abba Ammonas advanced so far that from his great goodness he no longer knew wickedness. When he had become bishop, they brought him a virgin who had conceived, and they say to him, “So-and-so did this; give them a penance.” But he signed her womb with the cross and ordered that six pairs of linen sheets be given her, saying, “Lest, when she goes to give birth, she or the child die and find nothing to be buried in.” Those who had accused her say to him, “Why did you do this? Give them a penance.” But he says to them, “You see, brothers, that she is near death; and what am I to do?” And he let her go; and the old man did not dare to condemn anyone. [9] They said of him that some people came to have their case judged by him. But the old man played the fool. And look, a woman stood near him and said, “This old man is mad.” The old man heard her, and calling to her he says, “How many labors I have spent in the deserts to acquire this madness, and through you I am to lose it today!” [10] Once abba Ammonas came to a place to eat, and there was a man there with a bad reputation; and it happened that a woman came and went into the cell of the brother who had the bad reputation. When those who lived in that place learned of it, they were troubled and gathered to drive him out of his cell. And learning that bishop Ammonas was in that place, they came and asked him to come with them. When the brother learned of it, he took the woman and hid her in a large jar. When the crowd arrived, abba Ammonas saw what had happened, and for God’s sake he covered the matter; and going in, he sat on top of the jar and ordered the cell to be searched. When they had felt everywhere and not found the woman, abba Ammonas said, “What is this? God forgive you.” And after praying he made them all leave; and taking the brother’s hand he said to him, “Watch yourself, brother.” And having said this, he left. [11] Abba Ammonas was asked what is the narrow and hard way; and he answered, “The narrow and hard way is this: to do violence to one’s own thoughts and to cut off one’s own wills for God’s sake. And this is the meaning of ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’” ### Scripture references - Luke 18:13: allusion, high confidence - Matt 7:14: allusion, high confidence - Matt 19:27: quotation, high confidence - 2 Cor 5:10: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The scan runs the whole section on abba Ammonas (sayings 1–11, numbered αʹ–ιαʹ in the print) into the last saying of Agathon; it is translated here under its printed heading, with the saying numbers in brackets. Ammonas 8 and 10 concern a pregnant virgin and a woman hidden in a monk’s cell; they show Ammonas’s refusal to condemn and are translated as written. The tax collector’s word: Luke 18:13; the narrow way: Matt 7:14; Peter’s words: Matt 19:27. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 3.30 (PG 65:117–123; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-30). ## Achilas 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-4-1 - Source: PG 65:123 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Achilas refuses two respected elders but makes a net for a disgraced one, so as not to crush him with grief. ### Greek text Παρέβαλόν ποτε τρεῖς γέροντες τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀχιλᾷ, καὶ ὁ εἷς ἐξ αὐτῶν εἶχε φήμην κακήν. Εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ εἷς τῶν γερόντων· Ἀββᾶ, ποίησόν μοι μίαν σαγήνην. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Οὐ ποιῶ. Καὶ ὁ ἄλλος εἶπε· Ποίησον ἀγάπην, ἵνα ἔχωμέν σου μνημόσυνον εἰς τὴν μονήν. Ὁ δὲ ἔφη· Οὐ σχολάζω. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἄλλος ὁ ἔχων τὴν κακὴν φήμην· Ἐμοὶ ποίησον μίαν σαγήνην, ἵνα ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν σου ἔχω, ἀββᾶ. Ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εὐθέως εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἐγώ σοι ποιῶ. Καὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ κατ' ἰδίαν οἱ δύο γέροντες· Πῶς ἡμεῖς παρεκαλέσαμέν σε, καὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησας ἡμῖν ποιῆσαι, καὶ τούτῳ εἶπας· Ἐγώ σοι ποιῶ; Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· ΕΙπον ὑμῖν, Οὐ ποιῶ, καὶ οὐκ ἐλυπήθητε, ὡς μὴ σχολάζοντός μου· τούτῳ δὲ ἐὰν μὴ ποιήσω, ἐρεῖ, ὅτι Διὰ τὴν ἁμαρτίαν μου ἀκούσας ὁ γέρων οὐκ ἠθέλησε ποιῆσαι· καὶ εὐθέως κόπτομεν τὸ σχοινίον. Διήγειρα οὖν αὐτοῦ τὴν ψυχὴν, ἵνα μὴ τῇ λύπῃ καταποθῇ ὁ τοιοῦτος. ### English translation (Claude) Once three old men visited abba Achilas, and one of them had a bad reputation. One of the old men said to him, “Abba, make me a fishing net.” He said, “I will not make one.” And the other said, “Do us a kindness, so that we may have a remembrance of you in the monastery.” He said, “I have no time.” The other, who had the bad reputation, says to him, “Make me a net, so that I may have something from your hands, abba.” He answered at once, “I will make you one.” And the two old men said to him privately, “How is it that we begged you and you would not make one for us, and to this man you said, ‘I will make you one’?” The old man says to them, “I told you, ‘I will not make one,’ and you were not grieved, since I have no time; but if I do not make one for this man, he will say, ‘The old man heard about my sin and would not make one,’ and at once we cut the rope. So I roused his soul, so that such a man might not be swallowed up by grief.” ### Scripture references - 2 Cor 2:7: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 4.1 (PG 65:123; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/4-1). ## Achilas 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-4-2 - Source: PG 65:123 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Achilas refuses a gift of apples and tells the brother not to disturb other cells. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Βητίμης ὅτι Καταβαίνοντός μού ποτε εἰς Σκῆτιν, ἔδωκάν μεί τινες ὀλίγα μῆλα, ἵνα δώσω τοῖς γέρουσι. Καὶ ἔκρουσα εἰς τὸ κελλίον τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀχιλᾶ, ἵνα δώσω αὐτῷ. Ὁ δὲ ἔφη· Φύσει, ἀδελφὲ, οὐκ ἤθελον ἵνα κρούσῃς μοι ἄρτι, εἰ ἦν μάννα· μηδὲ εἰς ἄλλο κελλίον ἀπέλθῃς. Ἀνεχώρησα οὖν εἰς τὸ κελλίον μου, καὶ ἀνήνεγκα αὐτὰ εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Bitimius said, “Once when I was going down to Scetis, some people gave me a few apples to give to the old men. And I knocked at the cell of abba Achilas to give him some. He said, ‘Truly, brother, I would not want you to knock on my door now, even if it were manna; and do not go to another cell.’ So I went back to my cell and took them to the church.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 4.2 (PG 65:123; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/4-2). ## Achilas 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-4-3 - Source: PG 65:123 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Achilas mocks Isaiah for moistening his salt, calling it eating broth. ### Greek text Ἦλθέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀχιλᾶς εἰς τὸ κελλίον τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἡσαΐου ἐν Σκήτει, καὶ εὖρεν αὐτὸν ἐσθίοντα ἦν δὲ βαλὼν εἰς τὸ πινάκιν ἅλας καὶ ὕδωρ. Ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ γέρων ὅτι ἔκρυψεν αὐτὸ ὀπίσω τῆς σειρᾶς, λέγει αὐτῷ· Εἰπέ μοι, τί ἤσθιες; Ὁ δὲ εἶπε· Συγχώρησόν μοι, ἀββᾶ, ὅτι θαλλία ἔκοπτον, καὶ ἀνῆλθον εἰς τὸ καῦμα, καὶ ἔβαλον εἰς τὸ στόμα μου ψωμὸν μετὰ ἅλατος· καὶ ἐξηράνθη ὁ φάρυγξ μου ἀπὸ τοῦ καύματος, καὶ οὐ κατέβαινεν ὁ ψωμός· διὰ τοῦτο, ἡναγκάσθην βαλεῖν μικρὸν ὕδωρ εἰς τὸ ἄλὰς, ἵνα οὕτως δυνηθῶ γεύσασθαι. Ἀλλὰ συγχώρησόν μοι. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Δεῦτε, ἴδετε Ἡσαῖαν ζωμὸν ἐσθίοντα ἐν Σκήτει. Εἰ ζωμὸν θέλεις ἐσθίειν, ὕπαγε εἰς Αἴγυπτον. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Achilas came to the cell of abba Isaiah at Scetis and found him eating; he had put salt and water in the dish. When the old man saw that he had hidden it behind the rope, he says to him, “Tell me, what were you eating?” He said, “Forgive me, abba, I was cutting palm leaves and went up in the heat, and I put a morsel with salt in my mouth; and my throat was dry from the heat and the morsel would not go down; so I was forced to put a little water in the salt, so that I could eat. But forgive me.” And the old man says, “Come, see Isaiah eating broth at Scetis! If you want to eat broth, go to Egypt.” ### Translation notes - Leaked variant notes are removed. “Egypt” means the settled Nile valley, as opposed to the desert. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 4.3 (PG 65:123; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/4-3). ## Achilas 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-4-4 - Source: PG 65:125 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Achilas holds back a hurtful reply until it turns to blood in his mouth. ### Greek text Παρέβαλέ τις τῶν γερόντων τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀχιλᾷ, καὶ θεωρεῖ αὐτὸν ῥίψαντα αἷμα ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἠρώτησεν· αὐτόν Τί ἐστι τοῦτο, Πάτερ Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων ὅτι Λόγος ἐστὶν ἀδελφοῦ λελυπηκότος με, καὶ ἡγωνισάμην τοῦ μὴ ἀναγγεῖλαι αὐτῷ καὶ ἐδεήθην Θεοῦ ἵνα ἀρθῇ ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ· καὶ γέγονεν ὁ λόγος ὡς αἷμα ἐν τῷ στόματί μου, καὶ ἔπτυσα αὐτὸν, καὶ ἀνεπάην, καὶ τὴν λύπην ἐπελαθόμην. ### English translation (Claude) One of the old men visited abba Achilas and sees him spitting blood from his mouth; and he asked him, “What is this, father?” And the old man said, “It is the word of a brother who grieved me, and I struggled not to tell it to him, and I prayed God to take it away from me; and the word became like blood in my mouth, and I spat it out, and I was at rest and forgot the grief.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 4.4 (PG 65:125; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/4-4). ## Achilas 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-4-5 - Source: PG 65:125 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Achilas works all night, not from need but so that God may not accuse him of idleness. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Αμμώης, ὅτι Παρεβάλομεν ἐγὼ καὶ ὁ ἀββᾶς Βητίμης τῷ ἀββᾶ Ἀχιλᾷ, καὶ ἡκούσαμεν αὐτοῦ μελετῶντος τὸν λόγον τοῦτον· Μὴ φοβοῦ, Ἰακώβ, καταβῆναι εἰς Αἴγυπτον. Καὶ ἐπὶ πολὺ ἔμεινε μελετῶν τὸν λόγον τοῦτον. Καὶ ὡς ἐκρούσαμεν, ἤνοιξεν ἡμῖν, καὶ ἐπηρώτησε Πόθεν ἐστέ; Καὶ φοβηθέντες εἰπεῖν, Ἐκ τῶν Κελλίων, εἴπαμεν, Ἐκ τοῦ ὄρους τῆς Νιτρίας. Καὶ λέγει Τί ὑμῖν ποιήσω ὅτι ἀπὸ μήκοθέν ἐστε; καὶ εἰσήγαγεν ἡμᾶς. Καὶ εὔρομεν αὐτὸν ἐργαζόμενον τὴν νύκτα πολλὴν σειρὰν, καὶ ἠρωτήσαμεν αὐτὸν εἰπεῖν ἡμῖν λόγον. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ἐγὼ ἀπὸ ὀψὲ ἕως ἄρτι ἔπλεξα εἴκοσιν ὀργυίας, καὶ φύσει οὐ χρήζω αὐτῶν· ἀλλὰ μήπως ἀγανακτήσῃ ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ ἐγκαλέσῃ μοι, λέγων Διατί δυνάμενος ἐργάσασθαι, οὐκ εἰργάσω; διὰ τοῦτο κοπιῶ, καὶ ποιῶ ὅλην τὴν δύναμίν μου. Καὶ ὠφεληθέντες ἀνεχωρήσαμεν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Ammoes said, “Abba Bitimius and I visited abba Achilas, and we heard him meditating on this word: ‘Do not fear, Jacob, to go down into Egypt.’ And he went on meditating on this word for a long time. When we knocked, he opened to us and asked, ‘Where are you from?’ And being afraid to say ‘From the Cells,’ we said, ‘From the mountain of Nitria.’ And he says, ‘What can I do for you, since you have come from far away?’ and he brought us in. We found that he had been working at a great deal of rope during the night, and we asked him to tell us a word. He said, ‘From evening until now I have plaited twenty fathoms, and truly I do not need them; but lest God be displeased and accuse me, saying, “Why did you not work when you could?” that is why I labor and do all I can.’ And we went away helped.” ### Scripture references - Gen 46:3: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Gen 46:3. The visitors named the more distant Nitria to avoid seeming close neighbors. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 4.5 (PG 65:125; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/4-5). ## Achilas 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-4-6 - Source: PG 65:125 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Achilas recognizes an elder’s humble confession of temptation as a demonic attack, not true sin. ### Greek text "Αλλοτε πάλιν μέγας γέρων παρέβαλε τῷ ἀββα Ἀχιλᾷ ἀπὸ Θηβαΐδος, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, πολεμοῦμαι εἰς σε. Ὁ δὲ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ὕπαγε καὶ σὺ, γέρον, εἰς ἐμὲ ἄρτι πολεμῇ; Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἀπὸ ταπεινώσεως εἶπε Ναὶ, ἀββᾶ. Ἦν δὲ ἐκεῖ ἐπὶ τῇ θύρᾳ καθήμενος γέρων τυφλὸς καὶ χωλός. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἤθελον καθίσαι μικρὰς ἡμέρας, καὶ διὰ τὸν γέροντα τοῦτον οὐ δύναμαι καθίσαι. Ακούσας οὖν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀχιλᾶς, ἐθαύμασε τὴν ταπείνωσιν τοῦ γέροντος, καὶ ἔλεγεν· Αὕτη οὐκ ἔστι πορνεία, ἀλλὰ φθόνος ἐστὶ τῶν πονηρῶν δαιμόνων. ### English translation (Claude) Another time a great old man from the Thebaid visited abba Achilas and says to him, “Abba, I am tempted because of you.” He says to him, “Come now, you too, old man, are you tempted now because of me?” And the old man, out of humility, said, “Yes, abba.” There was an old man sitting there at the door, blind and lame. And the old man says to him, “I wanted to stay a few days, and because of this old man I cannot stay.” When abba Achilas heard this, he marveled at the old man’s humility and said, “This is not sexual immorality, but the envy of the wicked demons.” ### Translation notes - The saying turns on a sexual temptation that the visiting old man humbly confesses; the details are left unclear in the Greek. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 4.6 (PG 65:125; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/4-6). ## Amoes 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-5-1 - Source: PG 65:125 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Ammoes kept his disciple at a distance lest idle talk creep in. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀμμώη, ὅτι ὡς ὑπἦγεν εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, οὐκ ἤφιε τὸν μαθητὴν αὐτοῦ ἔγγιστα αὐτοῦ περιπατῆσαι, ἀλλὰ ἀπὸ μακρόθεν· καὶ εἰ ἤρχετο ἐρωτῆσαι περὶ λογισμῶν, ὡς ἔλεγεν αὐτῷ μόνον, εὐθέως ἐδίωκεν αὐτὸν, λέγων· Μήποτε λαλούντων ἡμῶν περὶ ὠφελείας, ἐγκύψῃ τ ξένη ὁμιλία· διὰ τοῦτο οὐκ ἀφῶ σε ἔγγιστά μου. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Ammoes that when he went to church, he did not let his disciple walk close to him, but at a distance; and if he came to ask about thoughts, as soon as he had spoken to him he sent him away at once, saying, “Lest, while we speak of what is profitable, some idle talk creep in; that is why I do not let you near me.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 5.1 (PG 65:125; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/5-1). ## Amoes 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-5-2 - Source: PG 65:125 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isaiah confesses that he came to see his elder Ammoes as Satan. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀμμώης τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἡσαΐα το τῇ ἀρχῇ Πῶς με βλέπεις ἄρτι; Λέγει αὐτῷ Ὡς ἄγγελον, Πάτερ. Καὶ εἰς τὰ ὕστερα ἔλεγεν αὐτῷ· Πῶς με νῦν βλέπεις; Ὁ δὲ ἔλεγεν Ὡς τὸν Σατανᾶν κἂν λόγον μοι λαλήσεις ἀγαθὸν, ὡς ῥομφαίαν αὐτὸν ἔχω. ### English translation (Claude) In the beginning abba Ammoes used to say to abba Isaiah, “How do you see me now?” He says to him, “As an angel, father.” And later he would say to him, “How do you see me now?” And he would say, “As Satan; even if you speak a good word to me, I take it as a sword.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 5.2 (PG 65:125; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/5-2). ## Amoes 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-5-3 - Source: PG 65:125–127 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Bedridden Ammoes refused even to look at what his disciple stored or did. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀμμώη, ὅτι ἡσθένει κλινήρης ὧν ἐπὶ πολλὰ ὕτη, καὶ οὐδέποτε ἀφῆκε τὸν λογισμὸν αὐτοῦ προσχεῖν εἰς τὸ ἐσώτερον αὐτοῦ κελλίον, ἰδεῖν τί ἔχει. Πολλὰ γὰρ αὐτῷ προσέφερον διὰ τὴν ἀσθένειαν. Καὶ εἰσερχομένου τοῦ μαθητοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰωάννου καὶ ἐξερχομένου, ἐκάμυε τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ, ἵνα μὴ ἴδῃ τί ποιεῖ. Ἤδει γὰρ ὅτι ἦν πιστὸς μοναχός. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Ammoes that he was ill and bedridden for many years, and he never let his thought look into his inner cell to see what it held. For they brought him many things because of his illness. And when his disciple John went in and out, he would close his eyes, so as not to see what he was doing. For he knew that he was a faithful monk. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 5.3 (PG 65:125–127; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/5-3). ## Amoes 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-5-4 - Source: PG 65:127 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: After a week of silence Ammoes tells a visitor that his own sins are a dark wall between him and God. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι ἀδελφὸς παρέβαλε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀμμώῃ, αἰτούμενος παρ' αὐτοῦ λόγον. Καὶ μείνας μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἡμέρας ἑπτὰ, οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων, προπέμπων δὲ αὐτὸν εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἄπελθε, πρόσεχε σεαυτῷ· ἐμοῦ τέως αἱ ἁμαρτίαι γεγόνασι τεῖχος σκοτεινὸν ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ Θεοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said that a brother visited abba Ammoes, asking a word of him. He stayed with him seven days, and the old man did not answer him; but seeing him off he said to him, “Go, attend to yourself; as for me, my sins have become a dark wall between me and God.” ### Scripture references - Isa 59:2: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 5.4 (PG 65:127; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/5-4). ## Amoes 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-5-5 - Source: PG 65:127 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Ammoes abandons fifty measures of grain to leave a harmful place, citing monks who left even their books. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον διὰ τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀμμώην, ὅτι ἐποίησε πεντήκοντα ἀρτάβας σίτου, πρὸς χρείαν ποτέ, καὶ ἔβαλεν εἰς τὸν ἥλιον· καὶ πρὶν ξηρανθῆναι αὐτὰ καλῶς, εἶδε πρᾶγμα ἐν τῷ τόπῳ μὴ ὠφελοῦν αὐτὸν καὶ λέγει τοῖς παιδαρίοις αὐτοῦ· Ἄγωμεν ἔνθεν. Οἱ δὲ σφόδρα ἐλυπήθησαν. Ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτοὺς λυπουμένους, λέγει αὐτοῖς· Λυπεῖσθε διὰ τοὺς ἄρτους ἀληθῶς εἶδον ἐγώ τινας φυγόντας, καὶ ἐάσαντας κεκονιαμένα τὰ θυρίδια μετὰ βιβλίων μεμβράνων οὐδὲ ἔκλεισαν τὰς θυρίδας, ἀλλ' ἀπῆλθον ἀνεῳγμένας καταλιπόντες αὐτάς. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Ammoes that he once made fifty artabas of grain for his needs and put it out in the sun; and before it had dried well, he saw something in the place that did not profit him, and he says to his servants, “Let us go from here.” They were very grieved. Seeing them grieved, he says to them, “Are you grieved because of the bread? Truly I have seen some who fled and left their whitewashed window niches with parchment books, and did not even close the shutters, but went away leaving them open.” ### Translation notes - An artaba was an Egyptian dry measure (about 30–40 liters). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 5.5 (PG 65:127; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/5-5). ## Ammon of Nitria 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-6-1 - Source: PG 65:127 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony tells Amoun that his greater fame comes from loving God more. ### Greek text Ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀμμοῦν ὁ Νιτριώτης παρέβαλε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀντωνίῳ, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ, ὅτι Ἐγὼ πλείονά σου κόπον ἔχω, καὶ πῶς τὸ ὄνομά σου ἐμεγαλύνθη ἐν τοῖς ἀνθρώποις ὑπὲρ ἐμέ; Λέγει ἁὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος Ἐπειδὴ ἐγὼ ἀγαπῶ τὸν Θεὸν ὑπὲρ σέ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Amoun of Nitria visited abba Antony and says to him, “I have more labor than you, so how is it that your name has been magnified among men above mine?” Abba Antony says to him, “Because I love God more than you.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 6.1 (PG 65:127; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/6-1). ## Ammon of Nitria 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-6-2 - Source: PG 65:127 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen advises that if one must talk, the sayings of the elders are safer than discussing Scripture. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀμμοῦν, ὅτι ἐποίησεν εἰς μετὴν το κριθῆς, μῆνας δύο. Παρέβαλε δὲ αὐτὸς τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἐὰν ἀπέλθω εἰς τὸ κελλίον τοῦ πλησίον, ἢ καὶ αὐτός μοι παραβάλῃ διά τινα χρείαν, εὐλαβούμεθα συλλαλῆσαι ἀλλήλοις, μή τις ἀνακύψῃ ξένη ὁμιλία. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Καλῶς ποιεῖς χρήζει γὰρ ἡ νεότης φυλακῆς. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀμμοῦν· Οἱ γέροντες οὖν τἱ ἐποίουν; Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Οἱ γέροντες προκόψαντες, οὐκ εἶχον ἐν αὐτοῖς ἕτερόν τι, ἢ ξένον ἐν τῷ στόματι, ἵνα αὐτὸ λαλήσωσιν. Ἐὰν οὖν γένηται ἀνάγκη, φησὶ, λαλῆσαι μετὰ τοῦ πλησίον, θέλεις λαλήσω ἐν ταῖς Γραφαῖς, ἢ ἐν τοῖς λόγοις τῶν γερόντων; Λέγει ὁ γέρων Εἰ οὐ δύνασαι σιωπᾶν, καλόν ἐστι μᾶλλον ἐν τοῖς λόγοις τῶν γερόντων, καὶ μὴ ἐν τῇ Γραφῇ. Κίνδυνος γάρ ἐστι οὐ μικρός. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Amoun that he spent two months … barley. He visited abba Poemen and says to him, “If I go to my neighbor’s cell, or if he visits me for some need, we are careful about speaking together, lest some idle talk creep in.” The old man says to him, “You do well; for youth needs watchfulness.” Abba Amoun says to him, “Then what did the old men do?” And he said to him, “The old men who had advanced had nothing else in them, nothing alien in their mouths, to say.” “So if it becomes necessary,” he says, “to speak with my neighbor, do you want me to speak about the Scriptures or about the sayings of the old men?” The old man says, “If you cannot keep silent, it is better to speak of the sayings of the old men and not of the Scripture. For the danger is not small.” ### Translation notes - The first sentence is garbled in the scan (perhaps “he spent two months on a measure of barley”); translated only as far as it can be read. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 6.2 (PG 65:127; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/6-2). ## Ammon of Nitria 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/3-1/#p-6-3 - Source: PG 65:127 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A brother trapped by a woman prays as Amoun taught and is carried back to Scetis. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἦλθεν ἀπὸ Σκήτεως πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀμμοῦν, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Πέμπει με ὁ Πατήρ μου εἰς διακονίαν, καὶ φοβοῦμαι τὴν πορνείαν. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Οἴαν ὥραν ἔρχεταί σοι πειρασμὸς, εἰπέ· Ὁ Θεὸς τῶν δυνάμεων, εὐχαῖς τοῦ Πατρός μου ἐξελοῦ με. Ἐν μιᾷ οὖν τῶν ἡμερῶν ἔκλεισε παρθένος τὴν θύραν ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ· καὶ βοήσας φωνῇ μεγάλῃ εἶπεν· Ὁ Θεὸς τοῦ Πατρός μου, ἐξελοῦ με Καὶ εὐθέως εὑρέθη εἰς τὴν ὁδὸν τῆς Σκήτεως. ### English translation (Claude) A brother came from Scetis to abba Amoun and says to him, “My father is sending me on an errand, and I fear sexual immorality.” The old man says to him, “Whatever hour temptation comes to you, say, ‘God of powers, by the prayers of my father, deliver me.’” One day a virgin shut the door on him; and crying out with a loud voice he said, “God of my father, deliver me!” And at once he found himself on the road to Scetis. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 6.3 (PG 65:127; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/6-3). ## Anoub 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-7-1 - Source: PG 65:129 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Anoub stones and then begs pardon of a statue to teach his brothers to be unmoved by insult or honor. ### Greek text Διηγήσατο ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης, ὅτι ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀνούβ καὶ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν καὶ οἱ λοιποὶ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτῶν, ἐκ μιᾶς κοιλίας ὄντες, καὶ μοναχοὶ ἐν τῇ Σκήτει γενόμενοι, ὅτε ἦλθον οἱ Μάζικες καὶ ἠρήμωσαν αὐτὴν τὸ πρῶτον, ἀνεχώρησαν ἐκεῖθεν, καὶ ἦλθον εἰς τόπον καλούμενον Τερενοῦθιν, ἕως οὗ σκοπήσωσι πῶς ὀφείλωσι μεῖναι. Καὶ ἔμειναν ἐκεῖ εἰς παλαιὸν ἱερὸν μικρὰς ἡμέρας. Εἶπε δὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀνοὺβ τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι· Ποίησον ἀγάπην· σὺ καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί σου ἕκαστος καταμόνας ἡσυχάσει, καὶ μὴ ἀπαντήσωμεν ἀλλήλοις τὴν ἑβδομάδα ταύτην. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Ὡς θέλεις ποιοῦμεν. Καὶ ἐποίησαν οὕτως. ὧν δὲ ἐκεῖ ἄγαλμα λίθινον ἐν αὐτῷ τῷ ἱερῷ· καὶ ἡγείρετο ὁ γέρων ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀνοὺβ κατὰ πρωΐ, καὶ ἐλιθοβόλει τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ ἀγάλματος, καὶ καθ᾽ ἑσπέραν ἔλεγεν αὐτῷ· Συγχώρησόν μοι. Καὶ ἐπλήρωσε τὴν ἑβδομάδα οὕτως ποιῶν. Τῇ δὲ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ σαββάτου ἀπήντησαν ἀλλήλοις, καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀνούβ· Εἶδόν σε, ἀββᾶ, τῇ ἑβδομάδι ταύτῃ λιθάζοντα τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ ἀγάλματος, καὶ δι μετάνοιαν αὐτῷ ποιοῦντα πιστὸς ἄνθρωπος ταῦτα ποιεῖ; Καὶ ἀπεκρίθη ὁ γέρων Καὶ τοῦτο τὸ πρᾶγμα δι᾽ ὑμᾶς ἐποίησα. Ὅτι δ εἴδετέ με λιθοβολοῦντα τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ ἀγάλματος, μὴ ἐλάλησεν, ἢ ὠργίσθη; Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Οὔ. Καὶ πάλιν, ὅτι ἔβαλον αὐτῷ μετάνοιαν, μὴ ἐταράχθη, καὶ εἶπεν, Οὐ συγχωρῶ; Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Οὔ. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων· Καὶ ἡμεῖς οὖν ἐσμεν ἑπτὰ ἀδελφοί· εἰ θέλετε ἵνα μείνωμεν μετ᾿ ἀλλήλων, γενώμεθα ὥσπερ τὸ ἄγαλμα τοῦτο, ὅπερ ἐὰν ὑβρισθῇ ἢ δοξασθῇ, οὐ ταράσσεται. δὲ οὐ θέλετε γενέσθαι οὕτως, ἰδοὺ τέσσαρες πύλαι εἰσὶν ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ· ἕκαστος ὅπου θέλῃ ἀπέλθῃ. Καὶ ἔβαλον ἑαυτοὺς χαμαὶ, λέγοντες τῷ ἀββᾶ Ἀνούβ· Ὡς θέλεις, Πάτερ, ποιοῦμεν, καὶ ἀκούομεν ὡς λέγεις ἡμῖν. Εἶπε δὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι Ἐμείναμεν μετ' ἀλλήλων τὸν ἅπαντα χρόνον ἡμῶν, ἐργαζόμενοι κατὰ τὸν λόγον τοῦ γέροντος ὃν εἶπεν ἡμῖν· καταστήσαντος αὐτοῦ ἕνα ἐξ ἡμῶν οἰκονόμον· καὶ πᾶν ὅπερ ἐτίθει ἡμῖν ἡσθίομεν· καὶ ἀδύνατον ἦν εἰπεῖν τινα ἐξ ἡμῶν, Φέρε ἡμῖν ἄλλο τί ποτε, ἢ εἰπεῖν, ὅτι Οὐ θέλομεν τοῦτο φαγεῖν. Καὶ ἐποιοῦμεν τὸν πάντα χρόνον ἡμῶν ἐν ἀναπαύσει καὶ εἰρήνῃ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba John related that abba Anoub and abba Poemen and the rest of their brothers, born of one womb and made monks at Scetis, when the Mazices came and laid it waste the first time, withdrew from there and came to a place called Terenouthis, until they could consider how they should live. And they stayed there a few days in an old temple. Abba Anoub said to abba Poemen, “Do me a kindness: you and your brothers each live in stillness alone, and let us not meet one another this week.” And abba Poemen said, “We will do as you wish.” And they did so. There was a stone statue in the temple; and the old man abba Anoub would get up in the morning and throw stones at the statue’s face, and in the evening he would say to it, “Forgive me.” And he completed the week doing this. On the Saturday they met one another, and abba Poemen said to abba Anoub, “I saw you, abba, this week stoning the face of the statue and making a prostration of repentance to it. Does a believing man do such things?” And the old man answered, “I did this for your sakes. When you saw me stoning the face of the statue, did it speak, or get angry?” And abba Poemen said, “No.” “And again, when I made a prostration to it, was it disturbed, and did it say, ‘I do not forgive’?” And abba Poemen said, “No.” And the old man said, “So we too are seven brothers; if you want us to stay with one another, let us become like this statue, which is not disturbed whether it is insulted or glorified. But if you do not want to become like this, look, there are four gates in the temple; let each go where he wishes.” And they threw themselves on the ground, saying to abba Anoub, “We will do as you wish, father, and we will listen to what you tell us.” And abba Poemen said, “We stayed with one another all our time, working according to the word the old man spoke to us; he appointed one of us steward, and we ate whatever he set before us; and it was impossible for any of us to say, ‘Bring us something else,’ or to say, ‘We do not want to eat this.’ And we spent all our time in rest and peace.” ### Translation notes - The Mazices were Berber raiders who sacked Scetis in 407–408. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 7.1 (PG 65:129; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1). ## Anoub 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-7-2 - Source: PG 65:129 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Anoub never lied after his baptism. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀνούβ· Ἐξ οὗ τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐκλήθη ἐπ᾿ ἐμὲ, οὐκ ἐξῆλθε ψεῦδος ἐκ τοῦ στόματός μου. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Anoub said, “Since the name of Christ was called upon me, no lie has come out of my mouth.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 7.2 (PG 65:129; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-2). ## Abraham 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-8-1 - Source: PG 65:129–131 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Abraham shows a boastful elder that his passions are not dead, only bound. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περί τινος γέροντος, ὅτι ἐποίησε πεντήκοντα ἔτη, μήτε ἄρτον ἐσθίων μήτε οἶνον πίνων ταχύ. Καὶ ἔλεγεν, ὅτι Ἀπέκτεινα τὴν πορνείαν καὶ τὴν φιλαργυρίαν καὶ τὴν κενοδοξίαν. Καὶ ἦλθε πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀβραὰμ, ἀκούσας ὅτι εἶπε τοῦτο, καὶ ὁ γέρων λέγει αὐτῷ· Σὺ εἶπας τὸν λόγον τοῦτον; Καὶ λέγει· Ναί. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀβραάμ· Ἰδοὺ εἰσέρχῃ εἰς τὸ κελλίον σου, καὶ εὑρίσκεις εἰς τὸ ψιάθιόν σου γυναῖκα, δύνασαι λογίσασθαι ὅτι οὐκ ἔστι γυνή; Λέγει· Οὔ· ἀλλὰ πολεμῶ τῷ λογισμῷ, μὴ ἅψασθαι αὐτῆς. Λέγει οὖν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀβραάμ· Ἰδοὺ οὐκ ἀπέκτεινας, ἀλλὰ ζῇ τὸ πάθος, δέδεται δέ. Πάλιν ὡς περιπατεῖς βλέπεις λίθους καὶ ὄστρακα, μέσον δὲ τούτων χρυσὸν, δύναται ἡ διάνοιά σου λογίσασθαι τοῦτο ὥσπερ ταῦτα; Λέγει· Οὐχί· ἀλλὰ πολεμῶ τῷ λογισμῷ μὴ λαβεῖν αὐτό. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ἰδοὺ ζῇ ἀλλὰ δέδεται. Λέγει πάλιν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀβραάμ· Ἰδοὺ ἀκούεις περὶ δύο ἀδελφῶν, ὅτι ὁ εἷς ἀγαπᾷ σε, ὁ δὲ ἄλλος μισεῖ σε καὶ κακολογεῖ σε· ἐὰν ἔλθωσι πρὸς σὲ, τοὺς δύο ἐξ ἴσης ἔχεις; Λέγει Οὐχί· ἀλλὰ πολεμῶ τῷ λογισμῷ, ἀγαθοποιῆσαι τῷ μισοῦντί με ὡς τῷ ἀγαπῶντί με. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀβραάμ· "Ὥστε οὖν ζῶσι τὰ πάθη, μόνον δὲ δεσμοῦνται ὑπὸ τῶν ἁγίων. ### English translation (Claude) They told of an old man who spent fifty years neither eating bread nor readily drinking wine. And he said, “I have killed sexual immorality, avarice, and vainglory.” Abba Abraham came to him, having heard that he said this, and says to him, “Did you say this word?” And he says, “Yes.” And abba Abraham said to him, “Suppose you go into your cell and find a woman on your mat; can you think that it is not a woman?” He says, “No; but I fight my thought so as not to touch her.” So abba Abraham says, “Look, you have not killed it; the passion lives, but it is bound. Again, as you walk, you see stones and potsherds, and among them gold; can your mind think of it as of the others?” He says, “No; but I fight my thought so as not to take it.” And the old man says, “Look, it lives, but it is bound.” Abba Abraham says again, “Suppose you hear about two brothers, that one loves you and the other hates you and speaks ill of you; if they come to you, do you regard the two equally?” He says, “No; but I fight my thought to do good to the one who hates me as to the one who loves me.” Abba Abraham says to him, “So then the passions live; they are only bound by the saints.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 8.1 (PG 65:129–131; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/8-1). ## Abraham 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-8-2 - Source: PG 65:131 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Abraham rebukes a brother who eats often. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀβραὰμ, λέγων· Ἐὰν συμβῇ με πολλάκις φαγεῖν, τί ἐστι Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ γέρων εἶπε· Τί λαλεῖς, ἀδελφέ; τοσαῦτα ἐσθίεις; ἢ δοκεῖς ὅτι εἰς ἅλωνα ἦλθες; ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Abraham, saying, “If it happens that I eat often, what is that?” And the old man answered, “What are you saying, brother? Do you eat so much? Or do you think you have come to a threshing floor?” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 8.2 (PG 65:131; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/8-2). ## Abraham 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-8-3 - Source: PG 65:131 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A scribe tells a brother to practice what he has before asking for the missing lines. ### Greek text Ἔλεγε περί τινος τῶν Σκητιωτῶν ὁ ἀββᾶς˙ Ἀβραάμ, ὅτι γραφεὺς ἦν, καὶ οὐκ ἤσθιεν ἄρτον. Ἦλθεν οὖν ἀδελφὸς παρακαλῶν αὐτὸν γράψαι αὐτῷ βιβλίον. Ὁ οὖν γέρων ἔχων τὸν νοῦν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν θεωρίαν, ἔγραψε παρὰ στίχους, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιξεν. Ὁ δὲ ἀδελφὸς λαβὼν καὶ θέλων στίξαι, εὗρε παρὰ λόγους. Καὶ λέγει τῷ γέροντι Παρὰ στίχους ἐστὶν, ἀββᾶ. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ὕπαγε, πρῶτον ποίησον τὰ γεγραμμένα, καὶ τότε ἔρχῃ καὶ γράφω σοι καὶ τὴν λοιπάδα. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Abraham told of one of the monks of Scetis that he was a scribe and did not eat bread. A brother came asking him to copy a book for him. The old man, having his mind on contemplation, wrote leaving out lines, and did not punctuate. The brother took it, and wanting to punctuate it, found words left out. And he says to the old man, “Lines are missing, abba.” The old man says to him, “Go, first do what is written, and then come, and I will write the rest for you.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 8.3 (PG 65:131; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/8-3). ## Ares 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-9-1 - Source: PG 65:131–133 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Ares lays heavy disciplines on a brother because he is a true worker who seeks a word for God’s sake. ### Greek text Παρέβαλε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀ̓βραὰμ τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἄρῃ· καὶ καθημένων αὐτῶν, ἦλθεν ἀδελφὸς πρὸς τὸν γέροντα, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Εἰπέ μοι τί ποιήσω ἵνα σωθώ. Ο δὲ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ὕπαγε, ποίησον τὸν ἐνιαυτὸν τοῦτον, κατ᾿ ὀψὲ ἐσθίων ἄρτον καὶ ἅλας, καὶ δεῦρο πάλιν, καὶ λαλῶ σοι. Καὶ ἀπελθὼν ἐποίησεν οὕτως. Πληρωθέντος δὲ τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ, ἦλθε πάλιν ὁ ἀδελφὸς πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν "Αρην. Εὐκαίρησε δὲ τότε καὶ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀβραὰμ ἐκεῖ. Καὶ εἶπε πάλιν ὁ γέρων τῷ ἀδελφῷ· Ὕπαγε, νήστευσον καὶ τοῦτον τὸν ἐνιαυτὸν δύο δύο. Καὶ ὡς ἀπῆλθεν ὁ ἀδελφὸς, λέγει ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀβραὰμ τῷ ἀββᾷ "Αρῃ· Διατί ὅλοις τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μετὰ ζυγοῦ ἐλαφροῦ λαλεῖς, τῷ δὲ ἀδελφῷ τούτῳ φορτία βαρέα ἐπιτιθεῖς; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Οἱ ἀδελφοὶ καθὼς ἔρχονται ζητοῦντες, οὕτως καὶ ὑπάγουσιν· οὗτος δὲ διὰ τὸν Θεὸν ἔρχεται ἀκοῦσαι λόγον. Ἐργάτης γάρ ἐστιν· καὶ εἴ τι δ᾽ ἂν εἴπω αὐτῷ, μετὰ σπουδῆς ποιεῖ· διὰ τοῦτο κἀγὼ λαλῶ αὐτῷ τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Abraham visited abba Ares; and as they were sitting, a brother came to the old man and says to him, “Tell me what to do to be saved.” He says to him, “Go, spend this year eating bread and salt each evening, and come back, and I will speak with you.” And he went and did so. When the year was over, the brother came again to abba Ares. Abba Abraham happened to be there again. And the old man said again to the brother, “Go, fast this year too, two days at a time.” And when the brother had gone, abba Abraham says to abba Ares, “Why do you speak to all the brothers with a light yoke, but lay heavy burdens on this brother?” The old man says to him, “The brothers go away as they come, seeking; but this one comes for God’s sake to hear a word. For he is a worker, and whatever I tell him he does with zeal; that is why I too speak the word of God to him.” ### Scripture references - Matt 11:30: echo, low confidence - Matt 23:4: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Variant notes and a line of Migne’s notes merged into the Greek are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 9.1 (PG 65:131–133; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/9-1). ## Alonius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-10-1 - Source: PG 65:133 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Rest comes only to one who lives as if alone with God. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀλώνιος Ἐὰν μὴ εἴπῃ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ ἄνθρωπος, ὅτι Ἐγὼ μόνος καὶ ὁ Θεὸς ἐσμὲν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, οὐχ ἕξει ἀνάπαυσιν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Alonius said, “Unless a man says in his heart, ‘I alone and God are in the world,’ he will not have rest.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 10.1 (PG 65:133; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/10-1). ## Alonius 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-10-2 - Source: PG 65:133 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: One must tear down completely to rebuild oneself. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Εἰ μὴ τὸ ὅλον κατέστρεψα, οὐκ ἂν ἡδυνήθην ἐμαυτὸν οἰκοδομῆσαι. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “If I had not pulled everything down, I could not have built myself up.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 10.2 (PG 65:133; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/10-2). ## Alonius 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-10-3 - Source: PG 65:133 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A willing man can reach the divine measure in a single day. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι ἐὰν θέλῃ ὁ ἄνθρωπος, ἀπὸ πρωί ἕως ἑσπέρας, γίνεται εἰς μέτρον θεῖον. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “If a man wishes, from morning to evening he can come to the divine measure.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 10.3 (PG 65:133; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/10-3). ## Alonius 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-10-4 - Source: PG 65:133 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Alonius argues that a lie to save a fugitive from death is better than handing him over. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησε ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀγάθων τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀλώνιον, λέγων· Πῶς θέλω κρατεῖν τῆς γλώσσης μου, ἵνα μὴ λαλῇ ψευδῆ; Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀλώνιος Ἐὰν μὴ ψεύδῃ πολλὰς ἁμαρτίας μέλλεις ποιεῖν. Ὁ δὲ εἶπε· Πῶς; Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἰδοὺ δύο ἄνθρωποι ἐπὶ σοῦ φόνον ἐποίησαν, καὶ ὁ εἷς ἔφυγεν εἰς τὸ κελλίον σου· καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ ἄρχων ζητεῖ αὐτὸν, καὶ ἐρωτᾷ σε λέγων· Ἐπὶ σοῦ φόνος γέγονεν; ἐὰν μὴ ψεύσῃ, παραδιδεῖς τὸν ἄνθρωπον εἰς θάνατον. Μᾶλλον ἄφες αὐτὸν ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ χωρὶς δεσμῶν· αὐτὸς γὰρ οἶδε τὰ πάντα. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Agathon asked abba Alonius, saying, “How can I control my tongue so that it does not speak lies?” And abba Alonius says to him, “If you do not lie, you are going to commit many sins.” He said, “How?” And the old man says to him, “Suppose two men committed a murder in your presence, and one of them fled into your cell; and look, the magistrate is seeking him and asks you, ‘Was a murder committed in your presence?’ If you do not lie, you hand the man over to death. Rather leave him before God unbound; for he knows all things.” ### Translation notes - The saying defends a lie to protect a man from execution; it is translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 10.4 (PG 65:133; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/10-4). ## Aphy 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-11-1 - Source: PG 65:133 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: As bishop, Aphy learns that grace has not left him; men now give the help God gave in the desert. ### Greek text Διηγήσαντο περὶ ἐπισκόπου τῆς Ὀξυρύγχου ὀνόματι ἀββᾶ Ἀπφύ· ὅτι ὅτε ἦν μοναχὸς, πολλὰς σκληραγωγίας ἐποίει· ὅτε δὲ ἐγένετο ἐπίσκοπος, ἠθέλησε χρήσασθαι τῇ αὐτῇ σκληραγωγίᾳ καὶ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυσε. Καὶ ἔῤῥιψε ἑαυτὸν ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ λέγων· Μὴ ἆρα διὰ τὴν ἐπισκοπὴν ἀπῆλθεν ἡ χάρις ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ; Καὶ ἀπεκαλύφθη αὐτῷ, ὅτι Οὐχί· ἀλλὰ τότε ἔρημος ἦν, καὶ μὴ ὄντος ἀνθρώπου, ὁ Θεὸς ἀντελαμβάνετο· νῦν δὲ κόσμος ἐστὶ, καὶ οἱ ἄνθρωποι ἀντιλαμβάνονταί σου. ### English translation (Claude) They told of a bishop of Oxyrhynchus named abba Aphy that when he was a monk he practiced great austerity; and when he became bishop, he wanted to practice the same austerity in the world too, and could not. And he threw himself down before God, saying, “Has grace left me because of the episcopate?” And it was revealed to him: “No; but then it was the desert, and since there was no man, God helped you; but now it is the world, and men help you.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 11.1 (PG 65:133; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/11-1). ## Apollo 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-12-1 - Source: PG 65:133 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Apollo gladly helped others with work, seeing it as working with Christ for his soul. ### Greek text Ἧν τις γέρων εἰς τὰ Κελλία ὀνόματι Ἀπολλώς· καὶ εἰ ἤρχετό τις αἰτῶν αὐτὸν εἰς οἱονδήποτε ἔργον, μετὰ χαρᾶς ἀπῄει, λέγων· Μετὰ τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἔχω σήμερον ἐργάσασθαι ὑπὲρ τῆς ψυχῆς μου· οὗτος γάρ ἐστιν ὁ μισθὸς αὐτῆς. ### English translation (Claude) There was an old man in the Cells named Apollo; and if anyone came asking him to help with any kind of work, he went with joy, saying, “Today I get to work with Christ for my soul; for this is its wage.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 12.1 (PG 65:133; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/12-1). ## Apollo 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-12-2 - Source: PG 65:133–135 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A shepherd who murdered a pregnant woman becomes a monk and prays ceaselessly for forgiveness. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περί τινος ἀββᾶ Ἀπολλὼ εἰς Σκῆτιν, ὅτι ποιμὴν ἦν ἄγροικος· καὶ ἰδὼν γυναῖκα ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσαν ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ, ἐνεργηθεὶς ὑπὸ τοῦ διαβόλου εἶπε· Θέλω ἰδεῖν πῶς τὸ βρέφος κεῖται ἐν τῇ κοιλίᾳ αὐτῆς· καὶ ἀναῤῥήξας αὐτὴν, εἶδε τὸ βρέφος. Καὶ εὐθέως ἐπάταξεν αὐτὸν ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ· καὶ κατανυγεὶς, ἦλθεν εἰς Σκῆτιν, καὶ ἀνήγγειλε τοῖς Πατράσιν ὁ ἐποίησεν. Ἤκουσε δὲ αὐτῶν ψαλλόντων· Αἱ ἡμέραι τῶν ἐτῶν ἡμῶν ἐν αὐτοῖς ἑβδομήκοντα ἔτη· ἐὰν δὲ ἐν δυναστείαις, ὀγδοήκοντα· καὶ τὸ πλεῖον αὐτῶν κόπος καὶ πόνος. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Εἰμὶ τεσσαράκοντα ἐτῶν, μίαν εὐχὴν μὴ ποιήσας· καὶ νῦν ἐὰν ζήσω ἄλλα τεσσαράκοντα ἔτη, οὐ παύομαι εὐχόμενος τῷ Θεῷ, ἵνα συγχωρήσῃ μοι τὰς ἁμαρτίας μου. Οὐδὲ γὰρ ἐργόχειρον ἐποίει, ἀλλὰ πάντοτε ηὔχετο, λέγων· Ἥμαρτον ὡς ἄνθρωπος, ὡς Θεὸς ἱλάσθητι Καὶ γέγονεν αὐτῷ ἡ εὐχὴ αὕτη, εἰς μελέτην νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας. Ἦν δὲ ἀδελφὸς μένων μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἤκουσεν αὐτοῦ λέγοντος· Ὤχλησά σοι, Κύριε, ἄφες μοι, ἵνα ἀναπαύσωμαι μικρόν. Καὶ ἐγένετο αὐτῷ πληροφορία, ὅτι συνεχώρησεν αὐτῷ ὁ Θεὸς πάσας τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὸ τῆς γυναικός· εἰς δὲ τὸ παιδίον οὐκ ἐπληροφορήθη. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ τις τῶν γερόντων, ὅτι καὶ τὸ τοῦ παιδίου συνεχώρησε σοι ὁ Θεός· ἀλλὰ ἀφίει σε ἐν τῷ πόνῳ, ὅτι συμφέρει τῇ ψυχῇ σου. ### English translation (Claude) They told of a certain abba Apollo at Scetis that he had been a rough shepherd; and seeing a pregnant woman in the field, moved by the devil, he said, “I want to see how the baby lies in her womb”; and he ripped her open and saw the baby. And at once his heart struck him; and pierced to the heart, he came to Scetis and told the Fathers what he had done. He heard them singing, “The days of our years are seventy years in them, and if in strength, eighty; and the greater part of them is labor and toil.” And he said to them, “I am forty years old and have not prayed once; and now, if I live another forty years, I will not cease praying to God to forgive me my sins.” He did not even do handiwork, but always prayed, saying, “I have sinned as a man; as God, have mercy.” And this prayer became his meditation night and day. A brother lived with him, and he heard him saying, “I have troubled you, Lord; forgive me, so that I may rest a little.” And he received assurance that God had forgiven him all his sins, including that of the woman; but for the child he did not receive assurance. And one of the old men said to him, “God has forgiven you the child’s too, but he leaves you in the toil because it is good for your soul.” ### Scripture references - Ps 90:10 (89:10 LXX): quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - The saying narrates a murder to show that even such a sin can be forgiven through repentance; it is translated as written. Quotation of Ps 90:10 (LXX 89:10). A stray line from another saying (“your mind always fixed on the fear of God, and remember death unceasingly”) is removed from the middle of the psalm verse. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 12.2 (PG 65:133–135; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/12-2). ## Apollo 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-12-3 - Source: PG 65:135 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Apollo teaches that in welcoming a brother one welcomes God, after the examples of Abraham and Lot. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς εἶπεν περὶ τῆς ὑποδοχῆς τῶν ἀδελφῶν, ὅτι Δεῖ ἐρχομένους τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς προσκυνεῖν· οὐ γὰρ αὐτοὺς, ἀλλὰ τὸν Θεὸν προσκυνοῦμεν. Εἶδες γάρ, φησὶ, τὸν ἀδελφόν σου, εἶδες Κύριον τὸν Θεόν σου· καὶ τοῦτο, φησὶ, παρὰ τοῦ Ἀβραὰμ παρειλήφαμεν. Καὶ ὅτε δέχεσθε, πρὸς ἀνάπαυσιν παραβιάζεσθε· καὶ τοῦτο γὰρ παρὰ τοῦ Λὼτ μεμαθήκαμεν παραβιασαμένου τοὺς ἀγγέλους. ### English translation (Claude) The same said about the reception of the brothers that one must bow down before the brothers when they come; for it is not them but God we bow before. “For,” he says, “you have seen your brother, you have seen the Lord your God; and this,” he says, “we have received from Abraham. And when you receive them, press them to rest; for this too we have learned from Lot, who pressed the angels.” ### Scripture references - Gen 18:2: allusion, high confidence - Gen 19:3: allusion, high confidence ### Extrabiblical texts - Clement of Alexandria, Strom. 1.19.94 (Miscellanies): echo, medium confidence ### Translation notes - “You have seen your brother, you have seen your God” is an unwritten saying also quoted by Clement of Alexandria (Strom. 1.19.94) and Tertullian (Or. 26). Abraham: Gen 18:1–3; Lot pressing the angels: Gen 19:3. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 12.3 (PG 65:135; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/12-3). ## Andrew 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-13-1 - Source: PG 65:135 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Andrew names exile, poverty, and patient silence as the monk’s marks. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀνδρέας· Πρέπει τῷ μοναχῷ τὰ τρία ταῦτα· ἡ ξενιτεία, ἡ πτωχεία, καὶ ἡ σιωπὴ ἐν ὑπομονῇ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Andrew used to say, “These three things are fitting for a monk: exile, poverty, and silence in endurance.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 13.1 (PG 65:135; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/13-1). ## Aio 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-14-1 - Source: PG 65:135 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Aio teaches that an ailing ascetic loses no merit if he accepts comfort unwillingly. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περί τινος γέροντος εἰς τὴν Θηβαΐδα ἀββᾶ Ἀντιανοῦ, ὅτι πολλὰς πολιτείας ἐποίησεν ἐν τῇ νεότητι αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἰς τὸ γῆρας αὐτοῦ ἡσθένησε, καὶ ἐτυφλώθη, καὶ πολλὴν παράκλησιν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ διὰ τὴν αὐτοῦ ἀσθένειαν ἐποίουν, καὶ ἔβαλον εἰς τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἠρώτησαν τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀϊὼ περὶ τούτου Τί γίνεται διὰ τὴν πολλὴν παράκλησιν ταύτην; Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Λέγω ὑμῖν, ὅτι ἐὰν ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ θέλῃ, καὶ συγκαταβαίνῃ ἡδέως, ἐὰν φάγῃ ἓν φοίνικιν, ὁ Θεὸς αἴρει αὐτὸ ἐκ τοῦ κόπου αὐτοῦ· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ συγκαταβαίνῃ, ἀλλὰ μὴ θέλων λαμβάνῃ, ὁ Θεὸς τηρεῖ τὸν κόπον αὐτοῦ σῶον, ὅτι μὴ θέλων βιάζεται· κἀκεῖνοι τὸν μισθὸν ἔχουσιν. ### English translation (Claude) They told of an old man in the Thebaid, abba Antianus, that he practiced many ascetic disciplines in his youth, and in his old age he fell ill and went blind; and the brothers gave him much comfort because of his illness, and put food into his mouth. And they asked abba Aio about this: “What becomes of him through this great comfort?” And he says to them, “I tell you, if his heart desires it and gladly gives way, if he eats even one date, God takes it away from his labor; but if he does not give way but takes it unwillingly, God keeps his labor intact, because he is compelled against his will; and they too have their reward.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 14.1 (PG 65:135; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/14-1). ## Ammonathas 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-15-1 - Source: PG 65:135–137 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Ammonathas obtains in one night an imperial rescript exempting the monks from the poll tax. ### Greek text Ἦλθέ ποτέ τις ἄρχων εἰς τὸ Πηλούσιον, καὶ ἤθελεν ἀπαιτῆσαι ἐπικεφάλαια τοὺς μοναχούς, καθάπερ καὶ τοὺς κοσμικούς. Καὶ συνήχθησαν ὅλοι οἱ ἀδελφοὶ πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀμμωναθᾶν περὶ τούτου, καὶ ἐψηφίσαντό τινας τῶν Πατέρων ἀνελθεῖν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα. Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ἀββᾶς Αμμωναθᾶς Οὐ χρεία τοῦ σκυλμοῦ τούτου· ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον ἡσυχάσατε εἰς τὰ κελλία ὑμῶν, καὶ νηστεύσατε δύο ἑβδομάδας, καὶ τῇ χάριτι τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐγὼ μόνος ποιῶ τὸ πρᾶγμα. Καὶ ἀπῆλθον οἱ ἀδελφοὶ εἰς τὰ κελλία ἑαυτῶν· καὶ ὁ γέρων ἡσύχασεν εἰς τὸ ἴδιον κελλίον. Ὡς οὖν ἐπληρώθησαν δεκατεσσαρες ἡμέραι, ἐλυπήθησαν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ κατὰ τοῦ γέροντος, ὅτι οὐκ εἶδον αὐτὸν πώποτε κινηθέντα, καὶ ἔλεγον· Κατήργησεν ὁ γέρων τὸ πρᾶγμα ἡμῶν. Τῇ δὲ πεντεκαιδεκάτῃ ἡμέρᾳ συνἠχθησαν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ κατὰ τὰς συνταγάς· καὶ ὁ γέρων ἦλθε πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἔχων τὴν Σάκραν ὑπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐσφραγισμένην. Ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ ἐξέστησαν, λέγοντες Πότε ταύτην ἤνεγκας, ἀββᾶ; Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Πιστεύσατέ μοι, ἀδελφοὶ, ὅτι ἐν ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ ἀπῆλθον πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα, καὶ ἔγραψε τὴν Σάκραν ταύτην· καὶ ἐλθὼν εἰς Ἀλεξάνδρειαν ὑπέγραψα αὐτὴν παρὰ τῶν ἀρχόντων· καὶ οὕτως ἦλθον πρὸς ὑμᾶς. Ἀκούσαντες δὲ ἐφοβήθησαν, καὶ ἔβαλον αὐτῷ μετάνοιαν· καὶ ἠνύσθη αὐτῶν τὸ πρᾶγμα, καὶ οὐκ ἠνώχλησεν αὐτοῖς ὁ ὁ ἄρχων. ### English translation (Claude) Once a magistrate came to Pelusium and wanted to exact the poll tax from the monks, just as from people in the world. All the brothers gathered to abba Ammonathas about this, and they voted that some of the Fathers should go up to the emperor. And abba Ammonathas says to them, “There is no need for this trouble; rather, stay in stillness in your cells and fast for two weeks, and by the grace of Christ I alone will do the business.” And the brothers went away to their cells, and the old man stayed in stillness in his own cell. When the fourteen days were completed, the brothers were annoyed with the old man, because they had not seen him stir at all, and they said, “The old man has neglected our business.” On the fifteenth day the brothers gathered as agreed, and the old man came to them with the rescript sealed by the emperor. When the brothers saw it they were amazed, saying, “When did you bring this, abba?” And the old man says, “Believe me, brothers, this night I went to the emperor, and he wrote this rescript; and coming to Alexandria I had it countersigned by the magistrates; and so I came to you.” When they heard this they were afraid and made a prostration to him; and their business was accomplished, and the magistrate did not trouble them. ### Translation notes - A stray line (“I have sinned as a man; as God, forgive”) from another saying is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 15.1 (PG 65:135–137; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/15-1). ## Basil the Great 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-16-1 - Source: PG 65:137 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Basil ordains a monk deacon and presbyter after testing his obedience. ### Greek text Ἔλεγέ τις τῶν γερόντων, ὅτι ὁ ἅγιος Βασίλειος ἐν κοινοβίῳ παραβαλών, μετὰ τὴν πρέπουσαν διδασκαλίαν λέγει τῷ ἡγουμένῳ· Ἔχεις ἀδελφὸν ὧδε ἔχοντα ὑπακοήν; Ὁ δὲ λέγει αὐτῷ· Πάντες δοῦλοί σού εἰσι, καὶ σπουδάζουσι σωθῆναι, δέσποτα. Πάλιν λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἔχεις ἐν ἀληθείᾳ τινὰ ἔχοντα ὑπακοήν; Ὁ δὲ ἤνεγκεν αὐτῷ ἕνα ἀδελφόν καὶ ἐχρήσατο αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ ἄριστον ὑπηρέτην ὁ ἅγιος Βασίλειος. Μετὰ δὲ τὸ γεύσασθαι, ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ νίψασθαι· καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἅγιος Βασίλειος· Δεῦρο, κἀγὼ δώσω σοι νίψασθαι. Ὁ δὲ κατεδέξατο αὐτοῦ ἐπιχέοντος τὸ ὕδωρ. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ, ὅτι Ὅταν εἰσέρχωμαι εἰς τὸ ἱερατεῖον, δεῦρο ἵνα ποιήσω σε διάκονον. Καὶ τούτου γενομένου, ἐποίησεν αὐτὸν πρεσβύτερον· καὶ ἔλαβεν αὐτὸν μεθ' ἑαυτοῦ εἰς τὸ ἐπισκοπεῖον, διὰ τὴν ὑπακοὴν αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) One of the old men said that holy Basil, visiting a community, after giving the fitting teaching says to the superior, “Do you have a brother here who has obedience?” He says to him, “All are your servants, master, and are eager to be saved.” Again he says to him, “Do you truly have someone who has obedience?” And he brought him one brother, and holy Basil used him as a servant at the meal. After eating, the brother gave him water to wash; and holy Basil says to him, “Come, I too will give you water to wash.” And he consented while Basil poured the water. And he says to him, “When I go into the sanctuary, come so that I may make you a deacon.” And when this was done, he made him a presbyter; and he took him with him to the bishop’s house because of his obedience. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 16.1 (PG 65:137; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/16-1). ## Bessarion 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-17-1 - Source: PG 65:137–139 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Bessarion makes sea water sweet and rebukes his disciple for storing it: God is everywhere. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Δουλᾶς ὁ μαθητὴς τοῦ ἀββᾶ Βισαρίωνος, ὅτι Ὁδευόντων ἡμῶν ποτε εἰς ὄχθαν τῆς θαλάσσης, ἐδίψησα, καὶ εἶπον τῷ ἀββᾷ Βισαρίωνι· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, διψῶ πάνυ. Καὶ ποιήσας εὐχὴν ὁ γέρων, λέγει μοι· Πίε ἐκ τῆς θαλάσσης. Καὶ ἐγλυκάνθη τὸ ὕδωρ, καὶ ἔπιον. Ἐγὼ δὲ ἤντλησα εἰς τὸ ἀγγεῖον, μήποτε παρ' ἐκεῖ διψήσω. Καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ γέρων, λέγει μοι· Διατί ἤντλησας; Λέγω αὐτῷ· Συγχώρησόν μοι, μήποτε παρ' ἐκεῖ διψήσω. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων· Ὁ Θεὸς ὧδε, καὶ πάντη Θεός. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Doulas, the disciple of abba Bessarion, said, “Once as we were traveling along the seashore, I was thirsty, and I said to abba Bessarion, ‘Abba, I am very thirsty.’ And the old man said a prayer and says to me, ‘Drink from the sea.’ And the water became sweet, and I drank. And I drew some into my vessel, in case I should be thirsty farther on. When the old man saw it, he says to me, ‘Why did you draw water?’ I say to him, ‘Forgive me, in case I should be thirsty farther on.’ And the old man said, ‘God is here, and God is everywhere.’” ### Translation notes - A long passage from Migne’s notes (on the summons to the Council of Chalcedon) and variant notes merged into the Greek are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 17.1 (PG 65:137–139; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/17-1). ## Bessarion 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-17-2 - Source: PG 65:139 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Bessarion walks across a river, feeling the water only to his ankles. ### Greek text Αλλοτε χρείας αὐτῷ γενομένης, ἐποίησεν εὐχὴν, καὶ διέβη τὸν Χρυσορόαν ποταμὸν πεζῇ, καὶ ἀπῆλθεν εἰς τὸ πέραν. Ἐγὼ δὲ θαυμάσας, μετενόησα αὐτῷ, λέγων· Πῶς ἡσθάνου τοὺς πόδας σου ἐν τῷ περιπατεῖν σε εἰς τὸ ὕδωρ Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων· Ἕως τῶν ἀστραγάλων ἠσθανόμην τοῦ ὕδατος· τὸ δὲ λοιπὸν ἦν στερεόν. ### English translation (Claude) Another time, when there was need, he said a prayer and crossed the Chrysorrhoas river on foot and went to the other side. And I, amazed, made a prostration to him, saying, “How did your feet feel as you walked on the water?” And the old man said, “I felt the water up to my ankles; but the rest was solid.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 17.2 (PG 65:139; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/17-2). ## Bessarion 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-17-3 - Source: PG 65:139 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Bessarion prays the sun to stand still until he reaches an old man. ### Greek text Ἄλλοτε πάλιν ὑπαγόντων ἡμῶν πρός τινα γέροντα, ἦλθεν ὁ ἥλιος εἰς τὸ δῦναι. Καὶ εὐξάμενος ὁ γέρων εἶπε Δέομαί σου, Κύριε, στήτω ὁ ἥλιος, ἕως οὗ φθάσω εἰς τὸν δοῦλόν σου. Καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως. ### English translation (Claude) Another time, as we were going to a certain old man, the sun was about to set. And the old man prayed and said, “I beg you, Lord, let the sun stand still until I reach your servant.” And so it happened. ### Scripture references - Josh 10:12: echo, medium confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 17.3 (PG 65:139; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/17-3). ## Bessarion 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-17-4 - Source: PG 65:139–141 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Bessarion and Doulas find a silent hermit dead in a cave and discover she was a woman. ### Greek text "Αλλοτε πάλιν ἦλθον εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῖ καὶ εὗρον αὐτὸν ἑστηκότα εἰς εὐχὴν, καὶ αἱ χεῖρες αὐτοῦ ἐκτεταμέναι εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν· ἔμεινε δὲ ἐπὶ δεκατέσσαρας ἡμέρας τοῦτο ποιῶν. Καὶ μετὰ τοῦτα ἐφώνησέ με, καὶ εἶπέ μοι· Ἀκολούθει μοι. Καὶ ἐξελθόντες ἐπορεύθημεν εἰς τὴν ἔρημον. Καὶ διψήσας, εἶπον· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, διψῶ. Καὶ λαβὼν ὁ γέρων τὸ μηλωτάριόν μου ἀπῆλθεν ὡσεὶ λίθου βολήν· καὶ ποιήσας εὐχὴν ἤνεγκέ μοι αὐτὸ μεστὸν ὕδατος. Περιπατοῦντες δὲ ἤλθομεν κατά τινος σπηλαίου· καὶ εἰσελθόντες εὕρομέν τινα ἀδελφὸν καθεζόμενον καὶ ἐργαζόμενον με σειρὰν, καὶ μὴ ἀνανεύοντα πρὸς ἡμᾶς, μήτε ἀσπαζόμενον, μήτε ὅλως θέλοντα συνάραι λόγον μεθ' ἡμῶν. Καὶ λέγει μοι ὁ γέρων· Ἄγωμεν ἐντεῦθεν· τάχα οὐ πληροφορεῖται ὁ γέρων λαλῆσαι ἡμῖν. Καὶ ὠδεύσαμεν εἰς τὴν Λυκὼ, ἕως ἤλθομεν εἰς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰωάννην". Καὶ ἀσπασάμενοι αὐτὸν ἐποιήσαμεν εὐχήν. Εἶτα ἐκάθισαν λαλεῖν περὶ τῆς θεωρίας ἧς εἶδε. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Βισαρίων, ὅτι ἀπόφασις ἐξῆλθεν ἵνα καθαιρεθῶσι τὰ ἱερά. Ἐγένετο δὲ οὕτως, καὶ καθηρέθησαν. Ἐν δὲ τῷ ὑποστρέφειν ἡμᾶς, ἤλθομεν πάλιν κατὰ τοῦ σπηλαίου ὅπου εἴδομεν τὸν ἀδελφόν. Καὶ λέγει μοι ὁ γέρων· Εἰσέλθωμεν πρὸς αὐτὸν, μήπως ὁ Θεὸς ἐπληροφόρησεν αὐτὸν λαλῆσαι ἡμῖν. Καὶ ὡς εἰσήλθομεν, εὕρομεν αὐτὸν τελειωθέντα. Καὶ λέγει μοι ὁ γέρων· Δεῦρο, ἀδελφέ, συστείλωμεν τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ· εἰς γὰρ τοῦτο ἔπεμψεν ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεὸς ὧδε. Συστελλόντων δὲ ἡμῶν εἰς τὸ θάψαι αὐτὸν, εὔρομεν ὅτι γυνὴ ἦν τῇ φύσει. Καὶ ἐθαύμασεν ὁ γέρων, καὶ εἶπεν· Ἴδε πῶς καὶ γυναῖκες καταπαλαίουσι τὸν Σατανᾶν, καὶ ἡμεῖς ἐν ταῖς πόλεσιν ἀσχημονοῦμεν. Καὶ δοξάσαντες τὸν Θεὸν τὸν ὑπερασπιστὴν τῶν ἀγαπώντων αὐτὸν, ἀνεχωρήσαμεν ἐκεῖθεν. ### English translation (Claude) Another time I came to his cell and found him standing at prayer with his hands stretched out to heaven; and he remained doing this for fourteen days. After this he called me and said to me, “Follow me.” And we went out and made our way into the desert. Being thirsty, I said, “Abba, I am thirsty.” And the old man took my sheepskin and went about a stone’s throw away; and having prayed he brought it to me full of water. Walking on, we came to a cave; and going in, we found a brother sitting and working at a rope, who did not look up at us, nor greet us, nor want to exchange a word with us at all. And the old man says to me, “Let us go from here; perhaps the old man is not assured that he should speak with us.” And we traveled to Lycopolis, until we came to abba John. Having greeted him, we prayed. Then they sat down to speak about the vision he had seen. And abba Bessarion said that a decree had gone out that the temples should be torn down. And so it happened, and they were torn down. As we were returning, we came again to the cave where we had seen the brother. And the old man says to me, “Let us go in to him; perhaps God has assured him that he should speak with us.” When we went in, we found him dead. And the old man says to me, “Come, brother, let us lay out his body; for this is why God sent us here.” As we were laying out the body to bury it, we found that by nature it was a woman. And the old man marveled and said, “See how even women overthrow Satan, while we behave shamefully in the cities.” And glorifying God, the protector of those who love him, we went away from there. ### Translation notes - The scan repeats most of this saying from a second copy (in the Greek of Doulas’s own telling) inside the first; the repetition is removed and the saying translated once. A word of Latin (“quousque”) in the line is also removed. The decree to tear down the temples: probably that of Theodosius I (391); “abba John” is John of Lycopolis. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 17.4 (PG 65:139–141; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/17-4). ## Bessarion 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-17-5 - Source: PG 65:141 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Tricked into it by the clergy, Bessarion unknowingly casts out a demon by telling a sleeper to get up. ### Greek text Ἦλθέ τίς ποτε δαιμονιζόμενος εἰς τὴν Σκῆτιν, καὶ ἐγένετο εὐχὴ περὶ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ, καὶ οὐκ ἐξήρχετο ὁ δαίμων· ἦν γὰρ σκληρός. Καὶ λέγουσιν οἱ κληρικοί· Τί ἔχομεν ποιῆσαι τῷ δαίμονι τούτῳ; οὐδεὶς δύναται αὐτὸν ἐκβαλεῖν, εἰ μὴ ὁ ἀββᾶς Βισαρίων· καὶ ἐὰν αὐτὸν παρακαλέσωμεν οὐδὲ εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν ἔρχεται. Τοῦτο οὖν ποιήσωμεν· ἰδοὺ ἔρχεται πρωΐ πρὸ πάντων εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν· ποιήσωμεν τὸν πάσχοντα καθευδῆσαι ὁ εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ· καὶ ὅτε εἰσέρχεται, στῶμεν εἰς εὐχὴν, καὶ εἴπωμεν αὐτῷ· Ἑξύπνησον καὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν, ἀββᾶ. Ἐποίησαν δὲ οὕτως, καὶ ἐλθόντος τοῦ γέροντος πρωΐ, ἐστάθησαν εἰς εὐχὴν, καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Ἐξύπνησον καὶ τὸν ἀδελφόν. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἀνάστα, ἔξελθε ἔξω. Καὶ εὐθέως ἐξῆλθεν ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ ὁ δαίμων, καὶ ἰάθη ἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης. ### English translation (Claude) Once a man possessed by a demon came to Scetis, and prayer was made for him in the church, and the demon did not come out, for it was stubborn. And the clergy say, “What are we to do with this demon? No one can cast it out except abba Bessarion; and if we ask him, he will not even come to church. So let us do this: look, he comes to church early, before everyone; let us make the sufferer sleep in his place; and when he comes in, let us stand at prayer and say to him, ‘Wake the brother too, abba.’” They did so; and when the old man came in early, they stood at prayer and say to him, “Wake the brother too.” And the old man said to him, “Get up, go out.” And at once the demon came out of him, and he was healed from that hour. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 17.5 (PG 65:141; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/17-5). ## Bessarion 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-17-6 - Source: PG 65:141 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Bessarion stood forty days and nights among thorns without sleep. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Βισαρίων, ὅτι Τεσσαράκοντα νυχθήμερα ἔμεινα μέσον ῥάμνων, στήκων, μὴ κοιμώμενος. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Bessarion said, “For forty days and nights I stood among thorn bushes, without sleeping.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 17.6 (PG 65:141; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/17-6). ## Bessarion 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-17-7 - Source: PG 65:141 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Bessarion leaves the church with an excluded brother, confessing himself a sinner. ### Greek text Ἀδελφός τις ἁμαρτήσας έχωρίζετο ὑπὸ τοῦ πρεσβυτέρου ἐκ τῆς ἐκκλησίας. Ὁ δὲ ἀββᾶς Βισαρίων ἀναστὰς συνεξῆλθεν αὐτῷ, λέγων, ὅτι Κἀγὼ ἁμαρτωλός είμι. ### English translation (Claude) A brother who had sinned was being put out of the church by the presbyter. And abba Bessarion got up and went out with him, saying, “I too am a sinner.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 17.7 (PG 65:141; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/17-7). ## Bessarion 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-17-8 - Source: PG 65:141 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Bessarion slept only sitting or standing for forty years. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἀββᾶς Βισαρίων εἶπεν, ὅτι Τεσσαράκοντα ἔτη οὐκ ἔθηκα ἑαυτὸν ἐπιπλευρὸν ἀλλὰ καθήμενος ἢ στήκων ἐκοιμώμην. ### English translation (Claude) The same abba Bessarion said, “For forty years I did not lie down on my side, but slept sitting or standing.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 17.8 (PG 65:141; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/17-8). ## Bessarion 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-17-9 - Source: PG 65:141 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: In times of peace one should humble oneself all the more. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς εἶπεν· Ὅταν ἐν εἰρήνῃ τυγχάνῃς καὶ οὐ πολεμῆσαι, τότε" μᾶλλον ταπεινοῦ, μήπως χαρᾶς ἀλλοτρίας ἐπεισελθούσης καυχησώμεθα, καὶ παραδοθῶμεν εἰς πόλεμον. Πολλάκις γὰρ ὁ Θεὸς διὰ τὰς ἀσθενείας ἡμῶν οὐ συγχωρεῖ ἡμᾶς παραδοθῆναι ἵνα μὴ ἀπολώμεθα. ### English translation (Claude) The same said, “When you are at peace and not under attack, then humble yourself all the more, lest an alien joy come in and we boast and be handed over to war. For often, because of our weaknesses, God does not allow us to be handed over, so that we may not perish.” ### Scripture references - 1 Cor 10:13: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 17.9 (PG 65:141; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/17-9). ## Bessarion 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-17-10 - Source: PG 65:141 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Bessarion counsels silence and not comparing oneself; dying, he says a monk must be all eye like the cherubim. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς συνοικῶν ἀδελφοῖς ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Βισαρίωνα· Τί ποιήσω; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Σιώπα, καὶ μὴ μετρήσῃς ἑαυτόν. τα΄. Ὁ ἀββᾶς Βισαρίων ἀποθνήσκων ἔλεγεν, ὅτι ὀφείλει εἶναι ὁ μοναχὸς, ὡς τὰ χερουβὶμ καὶ τὰ σεραφία, ὅλος ὀφθαλμός. ### English translation (Claude) A brother living with brothers asked abba Bessarion, “What shall I do?” The old man says to him, “Keep silent, and do not measure yourself.” [11] Abba Bessarion, dying, said that the monk ought to be like the cherubim and seraphim, all eye. ### Scripture references - Ezek 10:12: echo, low confidence - Rev 4:8: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The scan runs Bessarion 11 (numbered ιαʹ) into this saying; marked [11]. The cherubim full of eyes: Ezek 10:12; Rev 4:8. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 17.10 (PG 65:141; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/17-10). ## Bessarion 12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-17-12 - Source: PG 65:141–143 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Bessarion lived as a homeless wanderer, weeping like a shipwrecked man for the lost riches of the soul. ### Greek text Διηγήσαντο οἱ μαθηταὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Βισαρίωνος, τὸν βίον αὐτοῦ οὕτως γεγενῆσθαι, ὡς ἕν τι τῶν ἀερίων πτηνῶν ἢ νηκτῶν ἢ χερσαίων ζώων, ἀταράχως καὶ ἀμερίμνως πάντα τὸν τῆς ζωῆς αὐτοῦ χρόνον διατελέσαντα Οὐ γὰρ φροντὶςοἴκου παρ' αὐτοῦ ἐμελετᾶτο, οὐ τόπων ἐπιθυμία κεκρατηκέναι ἔδοξε τῆς τούτου ψυχῆς, οὐ κόρος τρυφῆς οὐ κτίσις οἰκημάτων, οὐ βίβλων περιφοραί· ἀλλ᾽ ὅλος δι᾽ ὅλου τῶν τοῦ σώματος παθῶν ἐφάνη ἐλεύθερος, ἐλπίδι τῶν μελλόντων τρεφόμενος, καὶ πίστεως ὀχυρώματι βεβηκώς, ἐκαρτέρει ὥσπερ αἰχμάλωτος ὧδε κἀκεῖσε, ἐν ψύχει καὶ γυμνότητι διαμένων, καὶ τῇ φλογὶ τοῦ ἡλίου διακαιόμονος αἴθριος πάντοτε· κρημνοῖς ἐρημιῶν ἑαυτὸν ὡς πλανώμενον περιπείρων, καὶ πλατείᾳ τῇ ἄμμου χώρᾳ ἀοικήτῳ πολλάκις ἑαυτὸν ὡς ἐν πελάγει φέρεσθαι εὐδοκήσας. Εἰ δὲ συμβεβήκει εἰς ἡμερότητα τόπων ἐλθεῖν, ἔνθα οἱ τῆς ὁμοτρόπου ζωῆς μοναχοὶ καὶ κοινὸν τὸν βίον ἔχουσιν, ἔξω θυρῶν καθεζόμενος ἔκλαιε, καὶ ὥσπερ ἐκ ναυαγίου τις ἀποῤῥιφεὶς ὠδύρετο. Εἶτα, ἐξελθών τις τῶν ἀδελφῶν, εἰ εὗρε τοῦτον, ὡς προσαίτην ἕνα τῶν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ πτωχῶν καθήμενον, καὶ ἐγγίσας, ἐλεεινῶς φησιν αὐτῷ· Τί κλαίεις, ἄνθρωπε; εἰ δέῃ τινὸς τῶν ἀναγκαίων, κατὰ δύναμιν λήψῃ, μόνον εἰσελθὼν ἔνδον κοινώνησον ἡμῖν τραπέζης, παραμυθίας τυχών. Ὁ δὲ ἀπεκρίνατο, μὴ δύνασθαι ὑπὸ στέγην μεῖναι, πρὶν ἂν εὕρω τῆς ἐμῆς οἰκίας τὴν ὕπαρξιν· ἀπολωλεκέναι φήσας πολλὰ χρήματα διαφόροις τρόποις. Καὶ γὰρ πειραταῖς περιέπεσα, καὶ ναυαγίῳ ἐλήφθην, καὶ τῆς εὐγενείας μου ἐξέπεσον, ἄδοξος ἐξ ἐνδόξων γενόμενος. Ὁ δὲ πρὸς τὸν λόγον σχετλιάσας, εἰσελθὼν, καὶ ψωμὸν λαβών, παρέσχε, λέγων· Λάβε τοῦτον, πάτερ· τὰ δὲ ἄλλα σοι ὁ Θεὸς, ὡς λέγεις, ἀπονεμεῖ πατρίδα καὶ γένος, καὶ πλοῦτον ὃν ἔφης. Ὁ δὲ ἔτι μᾶλλον πενθῶν ἔβρυξε μέγα, ἐπιφθεγξάμενος Οὐκ οἶδα εἰπεῖν εἰ δυνηθείην εὑρεῖν ἅπερ ζητῶ ἀπολέσας· ἀλλ᾽ ἔτι μᾶλλον χαρίσομαι, κινδυνεύων ἀεὶ καθ' ἡμέραν εἰς θάνατον, ἀνοχὴν οὐκ ἔχων ἀπὸ τῶν ἀμέτρων ἐμοὶ συμφορῶν· Δεῖ γὰρ με συνεχῶς ἀποπλανώμενον, τελειῶσαι τὸν δρόμον. ### English translation (Claude) The disciples of abba Bessarion related that his life had been like that of one of the birds of the air, or the fish, or the land animals, passing all the time of his life without disturbance and without care. For no concern for a house occupied him, no desire for places seemed to have gained mastery over his soul, no surfeit of luxury, no building of dwellings, no carrying about of books; but he appeared wholly free from the passions of the body, nourished by the hope of things to come, and standing on the stronghold of faith; he endured like a captive, here and there, remaining in cold and nakedness, and burned by the flame of the sun, always in the open; wandering about the precipices of the deserts like a vagrant, and often content to be carried over the broad uninhabited land of sand as if on the open sea. And if it happened that he came to gentler places, where monks of the same way of life live a common life, he would sit outside the gate and weep, and lament like a man thrown up from a shipwreck. Then, if one of the brothers came out and found him sitting like one of the beggars among the poor of the world, he would come near and say to him with pity, “Why are you weeping, man? If you need any of the necessities, you will receive them as far as we can; only come in and share our table and be comforted.” But he answered that he could not stay under a roof until he had found the substance of his house, saying that he had lost great riches in various ways: “For I fell among pirates, and I was caught in a shipwreck, and I fell from my noble rank, becoming obscure instead of illustrious.” The brother, moved by his words, went in and took a morsel of bread and gave it to him, saying, “Take this, father; and God, as you say, will give you back the rest: homeland, family, and the wealth you spoke of.” But he, mourning still more, groaned aloud, saying, “I cannot say whether I shall be able to find what I have lost and am seeking; but I shall be still more glad, being in danger of death every day, having no respite from my measureless misfortunes; for I must complete my course always wandering.” ### Scripture references - Matt 6:26: echo, low confidence - 2 Tim 4:7: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Bessarion’s “lost wealth” and “shipwreck” are figures for the soul’s loss; the brother takes them literally. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 17.12 (PG 65:141–143; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/17-12). ## Benjamin 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-18-1 - Source: PG 65:143 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Benjamin, who had secretly taken a little oil from his jar, is shamed before brothers who took none. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Βενιαμὶν, ὅτι Ὡς κατήλθομεν ἀπὸ τοῦ θέρους εἰς Σκῆτιν, ἤνεγκαν ἡμῖν ἀπὸ Ἀλεξανδρείας καρποφορίαν, πρὸς ἕνα ἀγγεῖον ἐλαίου ξέστου γεγυψωμένον· καὶ ὡς ἦλθε πάλιν ὁ καιρὸς τοῦ θέρους, εἴ τι περιέσσευεν, οἱ ἀδελφοὶ ἔφερον εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν. Κἀγὼ ἤμην μὴ ἀνοίξας τὸ ἀγγεῖόν μου, ἀλλὰ τῇ ῥαφίδι τρυπήσας, μετέβαλον μικρόν· καὶ εἶχεν ἡ καρδία μου, ὅτι μέγα πρᾶγμα ἐποίησα. Καὶ ὡς ἤνεγκαν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ τὰ ἑαυτῶν ἀγγεῖα γεγυψωμένα ὡς ἦσαν, καὶ τὸ ἐμὸν τετρυπημένον ἦν, εὑρέθην ὡς πορνεύσας ἀπὸ τῆς αἰσχύνης. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Benjamin said, “When we came down to Scetis after the harvest, they brought us from Alexandria a gift: a sealed jar of oil, of one sextarius each. And when the time of harvest came round again, the brothers would bring whatever was left over to the church. I had not opened my jar, but had pierced it with a needle and taken out a little; and my heart told me that I had done a great thing. And when the brothers brought their jars sealed as they were, and mine had been pierced, I was found as if I had committed sexual immorality, from shame.” ### Translation notes - A stray line from Migne’s notes is removed. A sextarius was about half a liter. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 18.1 (PG 65:143; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/18-1). ## Benjamin 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-18-2 - Source: PG 65:143 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: An old man at Scetis had left untouched for three years the oil given him. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Βενιαμὶν ὁ πρεσβύτερος τῶν Κελλίων, ὅτι Παρεβάλομεν εἰς Σκῆτιν πρός τινα γέροντα, καὶ ἠθελήσαμεν αὐτῷ βαλεῖν μικρὸν ἔλαιον· καὶ λέγει ἡμῖν· Ἰδοὺ ποῦ κεῖται τὸ μικρὸν ἀγγεῖον ὁ ἠνέγκατέ μοι πρὸ τριῶν ἐτῶν· ὡς ἐθήκατε αὐτὸ, οὕτως ἔμεινεν. Ακούσαντες δὲ ἡμεῖς ἐθαυμάσαμεν τὴν πολιτείαν τοῦ γέροντος. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Benjamin, the presbyter of the Cells, said, “We visited an old man at Scetis, and we wanted to give him a little oil; and he says to us, ‘Look, there is the little jar you brought me three years ago; as you put it down, so it has stayed.’ When we heard this, we marveled at the old man’s way of life.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 18.2 (PG 65:143; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/18-2). ## Benjamin 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-18-3 - Source: PG 65:143–145 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: An old man knew no oil but the cheapest kind. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς εἶπεν, ὅτι Παρεβάλομεν ἄλλῳ γέροντι, καὶ ἐκράτησεν ἡμᾶς φαγεῖν· ἔβαλε δὲ ἡμῖν ῥαφανέλαιον. Καὶ λέγομεν αὐτῷ· Πάτερ, μᾶλλον μικρὸν χρήσιμον ἔλαιον βάλε ἡμῖν. Ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας, ἐσφράγισεν ἑαυτὸν, λέγων· Εἴ ἐστιν ἄλλο ἔλαιον ἐκτὸς τούτου, οὐκ οἶδα ἐγώ. ### English translation (Claude) The same said, “We visited another old man, and he kept us to eat; and he put radish oil on our food. And we say to him, ‘Father, put a little good oil on it for us instead.’ When he heard this, he crossed himself, saying, ‘If there is any oil besides this, I do not know it.’” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 18.3 (PG 65:143–145; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/18-3). ## Benjamin 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-18-4 - Source: PG 65:145 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Dying, Benjamin commends Paul’s threefold rule of joy, prayer, and thanksgiving. ### Greek text Ὁ ἀββᾶς Βενιαμὶν εἴρηκε τοῖς υἱοῖς αὐτοῦ ἀποθνήσκων Ταῦτα ποιεῖτε, καὶ δύνασθε σωθῆναι· Πάντοτε χαίρετε, ἀδιαλείπτως προσεύχεσθε, ἐν παντὶ εὐχαριστεῖτε. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Benjamin, dying, said to his sons, “Do these things, and you can be saved: rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in everything.” ### Scripture references - 1 Thess 5:16: quotation, high confidence - 1 Thess 5:17: quotation, high confidence - 1 Thess 5:18: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of 1 Thess 5:16–18. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 18.4 (PG 65:145; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/18-4). ## Benjamin 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-18-5 - Source: PG 65:145 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Benjamin counsels the royal road of moderation with steady perseverance. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς εἴρηκε· Τὴν βασιλικὴν ὁδὸν πορεύεσθε, καὶ τὰ μίλια μετρεῖτε, καὶ οὐκ ὀλιγωρεῖτε. ### English translation (Claude) The same said, “Walk the royal road, and count the miles, and do not lose heart.” ### Scripture references - Num 20:17: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The “royal road” is the middle way of moderation (cf. Num 20:17). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 18.5 (PG 65:145; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/18-5). ## Biare 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-19-1 - Source: PG 65:145 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Biare counsels little food, little work, and calm in the cell. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησέ τις τὸν ἀββᾶν Βιαρὲ, λέγων· Τί ποιἡσω ἵνα σωθῶ; Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ὕπαγε, ποίησον τὴν κοιλίαν σου μικρὰν, καὶ τὸ ἐργόχειρόν σου μικρὸν, καὶ μὴ ταράσσου εἰς τὸ κελλίον σου· σώζῃ. ### English translation (Claude) Someone asked abba Biare, saying, “What shall I do to be saved?” And he says to him, “Go, make your belly small and your handiwork small, and do not be troubled in your cell; you will be saved.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 19.1 (PG 65:145; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/19-1). ## Gregory the Theologian (unnumbered opening text) - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-20-0 - Source: PG 65:145 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A stray word printed before the first saying of Gregory the Theologian. ### Greek text καὶ ### English translation (Claude) … and ### Translation notes - A single stray word (“and”) stands before the first numbered saying in the scan; it belongs to no saying. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 20.0 (PG 65:145; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/20-0). ## Gregory the Theologian 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-20-1 - Source: PG 65:145 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Gregory names right faith, truthful speech, and bodily chastity as God’s demands on the baptized. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Γρηγόριος, ὅτι τὰ τρία ταῦτα ἀπαιτεῖ ὁ Θεὸς παρὰ παντὸς ἀνθρώπου ἔχοντος τὸ βάπτισμα· πίστιν ὀρθὴν ἀπὸ τῆς ψυχῆς, καὶ ἀλήθειαν ἀπὸ τῆς γλώσσης, καὶ σωφροσύνην ἀπὸ τοῦ σώματος. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Gregory said, “God requires these three things of every person who has baptism: right faith from the soul, truth from the tongue, and chastity from the body.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 20.1 (PG 65:145; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/20-1). ## Gregory the Theologian 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/7-1/#p-20-2 - Source: PG 65:145 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: For those who strive with longing, all of life is one day. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· ὅλος ὁ βίος ἀνθρώπου, ἡμέρα μία, τοῖς πόθῳ κάμνουσιν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “The whole life of a man is a single day to those who labor with longing.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 20.2 (PG 65:145; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/20-2). ## Gelasius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-21-1 - Source: PG 65:145–147 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Gelasius silently lets a thief sell his Bible, and the thief, moved by his goodness, returns it and stays. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Γελασίου, ὅτι εἶχε βιβλίον ἐν δέρμασιν, ἄξιον δεκαοκτώ νομισμάτων εἶχε δὲ τὴν Παλαιὰν καὶ Καινὴν Διαθήκην γεγραμμένην ὅλην καὶ ἔκειτο ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ, ἵνα ὁ θέλων τῶν ἀδελφῶν ἀναγνῷ. Ἑλθὼν δὲ τις ἀδελφῶν ξένος παραβαλεῖν τῷ γέροντι, ὡς εἶδεν αὐτὸ, ἐπεθύμησεν αὐτοῦ, καὶ κλέψας ἐξῆλθεν. Ὁ δὲ γέρων οὐκ ἐδίωξεν ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ, ὥστε καταλαβεῖν αὐτὸν, καίπερ νοήσας. Ἀπελθὼν οὖν ἐκεῖνος εἰς τὴν πόλιν, ἐζήτει πωλῆσαι αὐτό· καὶ εὑρὼν τὸν θέλοντα ἀγοράσαι, ἀπῄτει τὴν τιμὴν νομίσματα δεκαέξ. Ὁ δὲ θέλων ἀγοράσαι, λέγει αὐτῷ· Δός μοι πρῶτον, δοκιμάσω αὐτὸ, καὶ οὕτω τὸ τίμημά σοι παρέχω. Δέδωκεν οὖν αὐτό. Ὁ δὲ λαβὼν, ἤνεγκε τῷ ἀββᾷ Γελασίῳ δοκιμάσαι αὐτὸ, εἰρηκὼς αὐτῷ τὴν ποσότητα ἣν καὶ ὁ πωλῶν εἶπε. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Αγόρασον αὐτὸ, καλὸν γάρ ἐστι καὶ ἄξιον ἧς εἴρηκας τιμῆς. Καὶ ἐλθὼν ὁ ἄνθρωπος εἶπε τῷ πωλοῦντι ἄλλως, καὶ οὐ καθὼς εἶπεν ὁ γέρων, λέγων· Ἰδοὺ ἔδειξα αὐτὸ τῷ ἀββ Γελασίῳ, καὶ εἶπέ μοι ὅτι πολλοῦ ἐστι, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἄξιον ἧς εἴρηκας τιμῆς. Ἐκεῖνος ἀκούσας, λέγει αὐτῷ· Οὐδέν σοι ἄλλο εἶπεν ὁ γέρων; Λέγει αὐτῷ· Οὐχί. Τότε λέγει· Οὐκέτι θέλω πωλῆσαι αὐτό. Κατανυγεὶς δὲ ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν γέροντα μετανοῶν, καὶ παρακαλῶν αὐτὸν δέξασθαι αὐτό. Ὁ δὲ γέρων οὐκ ἤθελε λαβεῖν. Τότε λέγει αὐτῶ ὁ ἀδελφὸς, ὅτι Ἐὰν μὴ λάβῃς αὐτὸ, οὐκ ἔχω ἀνάπαυσιν Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Εἰ οὐκ ἀναπαύῃ, ἰδοὺ δέχομαι αὐτό. Καὶ ἔμεινεν ὁ ἀδελφὸς ἐκεῖνος ἕως τῆς τελευτῆς αὐτοῦ, ὠφεληθεὶς ἀπὸ τῆς ἐργασίας τοῦ γέροντος. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Gelasius that he had a book on parchment worth eighteen gold coins; it contained the whole Old and New Testament written out, and it lay in the church so that any of the brothers who wished might read it. A visiting brother came to see the old man, and when he saw it, he desired it, stole it, and left. The old man did not run after him to catch him, though he knew. So the man went to the city and sought to sell it; and finding someone who wanted to buy it, he asked sixteen coins as the price. The buyer says to him, “First give it to me so that I may have it examined, and then I will pay you the price.” So he gave it to him. He took it to abba Gelasius to examine it, telling him the price the seller had named. And the old man says, “Buy it, for it is good and worth the price you mention.” And the man went and told the seller something else, not what the old man said: “Look, I showed it to abba Gelasius, and he told me that it is dear and not worth the price you named.” When he heard this, he says to him, “Did the old man say nothing else to you?” He says to him, “No.” Then he says, “I no longer want to sell it.” And pierced to the heart, he came to the old man repenting and begging him to take it back. But the old man did not want to take it. Then the brother says to him, “If you do not take it, I have no rest.” The old man says to him, “If you have no rest, look, I take it.” And that brother stayed until his death, helped by the old man’s conduct. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 21.1 (PG 65:145–147; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1). ## Gelasius 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-21-2 - Source: PG 65:147 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A local magnate who seized Gelasius’s olives is warned by Symeon the Stylite and dies before he can repent. ### Greek text Τούτῳ τῷ ἀββᾷ Γελασίῳ κατελείφθη ποτὲ παρὰ γέροντός τινος, μοναχοῦ καὶ αὐτοῦ, περὶ τὴν Νικόπολιν τὴν οἴκησιν ἔχοντος, κελλίον καὶ τὸ περὶ αὐτὸ χωρίον. Γεωργὸς δὲ τις Βακάτου τοῦ τότε πρωτεύοντος τῆς Νικοπόλεως τῆς κατὰ Παλαιστίνην, συγγενής ὢν τοῦ κοιμηθέντος γέροντος, προσελθὼν τῷ αὐτῷ Βακάτῳ ἠξίου λαβεῖν τὸ αὐτὸ χωρίον, ὡς δῆθεν ἐκ τῶν νόμων εἰς αὐτὸν ἐλθεῖν ὀφείλοντος. Ὁ δὲ (δράστης γὰρ ἦν) αὐτοχειρὶ τὸ χωρίον λαβεῖν ἐπειρᾶτο παρὰ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Γελασίου. Μὴ θέλων δὲ κελλίον μοναχικὸν παραδοῦναι κοσμικῷ ὁ αὐτὸς ἀββᾶς Γελάσιος, οὐ παρεχώρει. Παρατηρησάμενος δὲ ὁ Βακάτος τὰ ζῶα τοῦ ἀββᾶ Γελασίου μεταφέροντα τὰς ἐλαίας τοῦ καταλειφθέντος χωρίου αὐτῷ, βιαίως ταῦτα ἀποσπάσας, εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ τὰς ἐλαίας λαβῶν, μόλις μετὰ ἀτιμίας ἀπέλυσε τὰ ζῶα μετὰ τῶν κτηνιτῶν αὐτῶν. Ὁ δὲ μακάριος γέρων τοῦ μὲν καρποῦ οὐδ᾽ ὅλως ἀντεποιήθη, τῆς δὲ δεσποτείας τοῦ χωρίου οὐ παρεχώρησε, διὰ τὴν εἰρημένην αἰτίαν. Ἐφ' ὂν ἐξαφθεὶς ὁ Βακάτος, χρειῶν καὶ ἄλλων ἑλκουσῶν αὐτὸν (φιλόδικος γὰρ ἦν), ἐπὶ Κωνσταντινούπολιν ὁρμᾷ, πεζῇ τὴν ὁδοιπορίαν ποιούμενος. Γενόμενος δὲ κατὰ τὴν Ἀντιόχειαν, τότε ὡς μεγάλου φωστῆρος λάμποντος τοῦ ἁγίου Συμεὼν, τὰ κατ᾿ αὐτὸν ἀκούσας (ὑπὲρ ἄνθρωπον γὰρ ἦν), ἐπεθύμησεν ὡς χριστιανὸς τὸν ἅγιον θεάσασθαι. Ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτὸν ἀπὸ τοῦ στύλου ὁ ἅγιος Συμεών, εὐθὺς εἰσελθόντα εἰς τὸ μοναστήριον, ἠρώτα· Πόθεν εἶ, καὶ ποῦ πορεύῃ; Ὁ δέ φησιν· Ἀπὸ Παλαιστίνης εἰμὶ, καὶ εἰς Κωνσταντινούπολιν ὑπάγω. Ὁ δὲ πρὸς αὐτόν· Καὶ τίνος χάριν; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Βακάτος Διὰ χρείας πολλάς· καὶ ἐλπίζω διὰ τῶν εὐχῶν τῆς ἁγιωσύνης σου ἐπαναλῦσαι, καὶ προσκυνεῖν τὰ ἅγιά σου ἴχνη. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἅγιος Συμεών Οὐ θέλεις, ἀνέλπιστε τῶν ἀνθρώπων, εἰπεῖν ὅτι κατὰ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀνέρχῃ. Ἀλλ᾿ οὐκ εὔοδά σοι ἔσται, οὐδὲ ὄψει ἔτι τὸν οἶκόν σου. Ἐὰν οὖν πείθῃ τῇ συμβουλίᾳ μου, ἐντεῦθεν ἤδη ἀναλύσας πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁρμᾶς, καὶ μετανοεῖς αὐτῷ, εἴγε ἐν τοῖς ζῶσιν ὢν καταλάβῃς τὸν τόπον. Εὐθέως οὖν ληφθεὶς ὑπὸ πυρετοῦ, καὶ ὑπὸ τῶν συνόντων ἐν λεκτικίῳ βληθεὶς, ἠπείγετο κατὰ τὸν λόγον τοῦ ἁγίου Συμεὼν καταλαβεῖν τὴν χώραν, καὶ μετανοῆσαι τῷ ἀββᾷ Γελασίῳ. Ἀλλὰ φθάσας τὴν Βήρυτον, ἐτελεύτησε, μὴ θεασάμενος τὸν οἶκοι αὐτοῦ, κατὰ τὴν προφητείαν τοῦ ἁγίου. Ταῦτα ἐ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ, Βακάτος καὶ αὐτὸς λεγόμενος, μετὰ τὴν τελευτὴν τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, πολλοῖς καὶ ἀξιοπίστοις ἀνδράσι διηγήσατο. ### English translation (Claude) To this abba Gelasius there was once left, by an old man who was also a monk and lived near Nicopolis, a cell and the land around it. A farmer of Bacatus, then the leading man of Nicopolis in Palestine, being a relative of the old man who had died, went to Bacatus and asked to receive the land, as though it ought by law to come to him. Bacatus, a violent man, tried to take the land from abba Gelasius by his own hand. But abba Gelasius, not wanting to hand over a monk’s cell to a layman, would not yield. Bacatus, watching for abba Gelasius’s animals carrying the olives of the land left to him, seized them by force, took the olives to his own house, and only grudgingly, with insult, let the animals go with their drivers. The blessed old man made no claim at all to the fruit, but he did not give up ownership of the land, for the reason stated. Enraged at him, and drawn by other business too (for he was fond of lawsuits), Bacatus set out for Constantinople, making the journey on foot. When he came to Antioch, where holy Symeon was then shining like a great light, he heard about him (for he was beyond human measure) and as a Christian desired to see the saint. When holy Symeon saw him from the pillar as soon as he entered the monastery, he asked, “Where are you from, and where are you going?” He says, “I am from Palestine, and I am going to Constantinople.” He said to him, “And for what reason?” Bacatus says to him, “For many matters; and I hope through the prayers of your holiness to return and to venerate your holy footsteps.” And holy Symeon says to him, “You do not want to say, most hopeless of men, that you are going up against the man of God. But it will not go well for you, nor will you see your house again. If you take my advice, you will go back from here at once to him and repent before him, if indeed you reach the place alive.” At once he was seized by a fever, and was put on a litter by his companions; and he hastened, according to the word of holy Symeon, to reach the country and repent before abba Gelasius. But having reached Berytus, he died without seeing his house, according to the saint’s prophecy. His son, also called Bacatus, related these things after his father’s death to many trustworthy men. ### Translation notes - Symeon the Stylite (d. 459) lived near Antioch. Variant notes from Migne’s apparatus are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 21.2 (PG 65:147; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-2). ## Gelasius 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-21-3 - Source: PG 65:147–149 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Gelasius secretly raises to life a boy accidentally killed by his cellarer. ### Greek text Καὶ τοῦτο δὲ πολλοὶ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ διηγήσαντο· ὅτι Ποτὲ ὀψαρίου ἐνεχθέντος αὐτοῖς, τοῦτο τηγανίσας ὁ μάγειρος, εἰσήνεγκε τῷ κελλαρίτῃ χρείας δὲ ἐπειγούσης τὸν κελλαρίτην, ἐξῆλθε τοῦ κελλαρίου, ἐάσας τὸ ὀψάριον ἐν σκεύει χαμαὶ, παραγγείλας θρεπταρίῳ μικρῷ τοῦ μακαρίου Γελασίου φυλάττειν αὐτὸ πρὸς ὥραν, ἕως οὗ ἀνακάμψῃ· τὸ δὲ παιδίον λιχνισθὲν, ἔβαλεν ἐσθίειν ἀφειδῶς τὸ ὀψάμιον. Εἰσελθὼν δὲ ὁ κελλαρίτης, καὶ εὑρὼν αὐτὸ ἐσθίον, ἀγανακτήσας κατὰ τοῦ παιδὸς χαμαὶ καθημένου, ἀπαρατηρήτως τῷ ποδὶ ὤθησεν· ἐξ ἐνεργείας δὲ τινος, κατὰ καιρίου κρουσθεὶς, λειποθυμήσας ἀπέθανεν. Ὁ δὲ κελλαρίτης φόβῳ κατασχεθεὶς, ἀνακλίνας τοῦτον ἐν τῇ ἰδίᾳ στρώσει, καὶ σκεπάσας, ἀπελθὼν προσέπεσε τοῖς ποσὶ τοῦ ἀ̓ββᾶ. Γελασίου, ἀπαγγέλλων αὐτῷ τὸ γενόμενον. Ὁ δὲ παραγγείλας αὐτῷ μηδενὶ ἄλλῳ εἰπεῖν, ἐκέλευσεν αὐτῷ μετὰ τὸ πάντας ἡσυχάσαι ἑσπέρας, εἰσενέγκαι αὐτὸ εἰς τὸ διακονικὸν, καὶ θεῖναι ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου, καὶ ἀναχωρῆσαι. Καὶ ἐλθὼν ὁ γέρων εἰς τὸ διακονικὸν, ἔστη εἰς προσευχήν καὶ τῇ ὥρᾳ τῆς νυκτερινῆς ψαλμῳδίας, συναχθέντων τῶν ἀδελφῶν, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ γέρων ἔχων ἀκολουθοῦν αὐτὸ τὸ μειράκιον· μηδενὸς τὸ γενόμενον εἰδότος, πλὴν αὐτοῦ, καὶ τοῦ κελλαρίτου, ἕως τῆς αὐτοῦ τελευτῆς. ### English translation (Claude) Many of his disciples also related this: once, when a fish had been brought to them, the cook fried it and took it in to the cellarer. Since urgent business called the cellarer, he went out of the storeroom, leaving the fish in a dish on the ground, and told a little boy whom blessed Gelasius was bringing up to watch it for a while until he returned. But the child, overcome by greed, began eating the fish unsparingly. When the cellarer came in and found him eating it, he was angry with the boy sitting on the ground and kicked him carelessly; and by some working of the devil the blow struck a vital spot, and he fainted and died. The cellarer, seized with fear, laid him on his own bed and covered him, and went and fell at the feet of abba Gelasius, telling him what had happened. He told him to tell no one else, and ordered him, after everyone had gone to rest in the evening, to carry the body into the sacristy, lay it before the altar, and withdraw. And the old man came into the sacristy and stood in prayer; and at the hour of the night psalmody, when the brothers had gathered, the old man came out with the boy following him. No one knew what had happened except himself and the cellarer, until his death. ### Translation notes - ἐξ ἐνεργείας τινός, “by some working,” is taken as a working of the devil. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 21.3 (PG 65:147–149; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-3). ## Gelasius 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-21-4 - Source: PG 65:149–151 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Gelasius refuses to join the anti-Chalcedonian usurper Theodosius of Jerusalem, even under threat of burning. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Γελασίου, οὐχ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ πολλοὶ τῶν πυκνῶς αὐτῷ παραβαλόντων διηγοῦντο, ὅτι ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τῆς οἰκουμενικῆς συνόδου τῆς ἐν Καλχηδόνι Θεοδόσιος ὁ προκατάρξας ἐν Παλαιστίνῃ τοῦ κατὰ Διόσκορον σχίσματος προλαβὼν τοὺς ἐπισκόπους ἐπανελθεῖν μέλλοντας ἐπὶ τὰς ἰδίας Ἐκκλησίας (παρῆν γὰρ καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν Κωνσταντινουπόλει, διωχθεὶς ἀπὸ τῆς ἰδίας πατρίδος ὡς ταραχαῖς ἀεὶ χαίρων) ὥρμησε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Γελάσιον εἰς τὸ αὐτοῦ μοναστήριον, λέγων κατὰ τῆς συνόδου, ὡς τὸ Νεστορίου δόγμα κυρωσάσης· Διὰ τούτου νομίζων τὸν ἅγιον ὑφαρπάζειν, πρὸς συνεργίαν τῆς αὐτοῦ ῥᾳδιουργίας καὶ τοῦ κατ᾿ αὐτὸν σχίσματος. Ὁ δὲ ἐκ τῆς τοῦ ἀνδρὸς καταστάσεως, καὶ ἐκ τῆς προσούσης αὐτῷ θεόθεν συνέσεως, τὸ διεφθαρμένον τῆς αὐτοῦ γνώμης καταλαβών, οὐ συναπήχθη τῇ αὐτοῦ ἀποστασίᾳ, ὡς οἱ τότε σχεδόν πάντες, ἀλλ᾽ ἀξίως αὐτὸν ἀτιμάσας ἀπέπεμψεν. Εἰς μέσον γὰρ ἐνεγκὼν τὸ θρεπτάριον ὅπερ ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀνέστησεν, ἔλεγεν ἐν ἤθει σεμνῷ οὕτως· Ἐὰν περὶ πίστεως θέλῃς διαλεχθῆναι, ἔχεις τοῦτον παρὰ σοῦ ἀκούοντα καὶ διαλεγόμενόν σοι· ἐμοὶ γὰρ οὐ σχολὴ τὰ παρὰ σοῦ ἀκούειν. Ἐπὶ τούτοις διατραπεὶς, καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν ἁγίαν πόλιν ὁρμήσας, συναρπάζει μὲν ὅλον τὸ μοναχικὸν, ἐν προσχήματι θείου ζήλου συναρπάζει δὲ καὶ τὴν Αὐγούσταν τότε παροῦσαν· καὶ οὕτως η συνεργὸν λαβών, βίᾳ κατέσχε τὸν θρόνον Ἱεροσολύμων· φόνοις τοῦτον προαρπάσας, καὶ τὰ ἄλλα ἀθέμιτα καὶ ἀκανόνιστα διαπράξας, ἃ μέχρι νῦν πολλοὶ μνημονεύουσι. Τότε δὴ ὡς ἐγκρατὴς γενόμενος, καὶ τοῦ σκοποῦ ἐπιτυχὼν, καὶ ἐπισκόπους πλείστους χειροτονήσας, προλαμβάνων τοὺς θρόνους τῶν ἐπισκόπων μηδέπω ἐπανελθόντων, μεταστέλλεται καὶ τὸν ἀββᾶν Γελάσιον· καὶ προτρέπεται εἰς τὸ ἱερατεῖον, δελεάζων ἅμα καὶ ἐκφοβῶν. Εἰσελθόντι οὖν αὐτῷ εἰς τὸ ἱερατεῖον, ἔλεγεν ὁ Θεοδόσιος· Αναθεμάτισον Ἰουβενάλιον. Ὁ δὲ μηδὲν καταπλαγεὶς, Ἄ̓́λλον οὐκ οἶδα, φησὶν, ἐπίσκοπον Ἱεροσολύμων, εἰ μὴ Ἰουβενάλιον. Εὐλαβηθεὶς δὲ ὁ Θεοδόσιος, μὴ καὶ ἄλλοι τὸν εὐσεβῆ αὐτοῦ ζῆλον μιμήσωνται, κελεύει αὐτὸν εὐφυῶς ἔξω βληθῆναι τῆς ἐκκλησίας. Παραλαβόντες δὲ αὐτὸν οἱ τοῦ αὐτοῦ σχήματος περιέστησαν αὐτῷ ξύλα, καίειν αὐτὸν ἀπειλοῦντες. Ὁρῶντες δὲ αὐτὸν μηδὲ οὕτως ἐνδιδόντα, μηδὲ καταπτήσσοντα, καὶ εὐλαβούμενοι τὴν τοῦ δήμου ἔγερσιν, διὰ τὸ περιβόητον εἶναι τὸν ἄνδρα (τὸ ὅλον ἐκ τῆς ἄνωθεν ἦν Προνοίας), ἀπέλυσαν ἀβλαβῆ τὸν μάρτυρα, τό γε ἐφ᾽ ἑαυτῷ Χριστῷ ὁλοκαυτωθέντα. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Gelasius (not only his disciples, but many of those who visited him often related it) that at the time of the ecumenical council at Chalcedon, Theodosius, who began the schism of Dioscorus’s party in Palestine, got ahead of the bishops who were about to return to their own churches (for he too was present in Constantinople, having been driven from his own homeland as one who always delighted in disturbances) and rushed to abba Gelasius at his monastery, speaking against the council as having confirmed the doctrine of Nestorius, thinking by this to snatch the saint over into cooperating with his mischief and his schism. But Gelasius, perceiving the corruption of his mind from the man’s bearing and from the understanding given him by God, was not carried away with his apostasy, as nearly everyone then was, but sent him away with the dishonor he deserved. For bringing out into the middle the boy he had raised from the dead, he said with a grave manner, “If you want to discuss the faith, you have this boy to hear you and to discuss with you; I have no leisure to hear what you say.” Abashed at this, he rushed to the holy city, and carried away the whole body of monks under a pretext of divine zeal; he carried away also the Augusta, who was then present; and having taken her as his ally, he seized the throne of Jerusalem by force, grabbing it by murders and doing other lawless and uncanonical things, which many remember to this day. Then, having gained power and achieved his aim, and having ordained a great many bishops, seizing the sees of bishops who had not yet returned, he sent for abba Gelasius too, and urged him into the sanctuary, enticing and frightening him at once. When he came into the sanctuary, Theodosius said, “Anathematize Juvenal.” But he, not at all dismayed, says, “I know no other bishop of Jerusalem but Juvenal.” Theodosius, fearing that others too might imitate his pious zeal, ordered him to be cleverly thrown out of the church. Those of his party took him and piled wood around him, threatening to burn him. But seeing that even so he did not yield or cower, and fearing a rising of the people, because the man was famous (the whole thing came from providence above), they let the martyr go unharmed, who for his part had offered himself to Christ as a whole burnt offering. ### Translation notes - The saying is told from the Chalcedonian side. Theodosius led the monks of Palestine against the Council of Chalcedon (451) and held the see of Jerusalem in 451–453 while its bishop Juvenal was absent; the Augusta is the empress Eudocia, then living in Jerusalem. Their opponents called the council Nestorian; the saying’s charges against Theodosius are translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 21.4 (PG 65:149–151; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-4). ## Gelasius 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-21-5 - Source: PG 65:151 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Gelasius answers a poor hermit that the hermit’s awl binds him more than the monastery’s lands bind Gelasius. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἐν νεότητι τὸν ἀκτήμονα βίον καὶ ἀναχωρητικὸν μετήρχετο· ἦσαν δὲ κατ᾿ αὐτὸν τὸν καιρὸν καὶ ἄλλοι πλεῖστοι κατὰ τοὺς αὐτοὺς τόπους, τὸν αὐτὸν βίον αὐτῷ συνασπαζόμενοι· ἐν οἷς καὶ γέρων τις ἦν εἰς ἄκρον ἁπλούστατος καὶ ἀκτήμων, ἐν μονοκελλίῳ οἰκήσας ἄχρι τελευτῆς, καίπερ μαθητὰς ἐσχηκὼς ἐν τῷ γήρα αὐτοῦ. Οὗτος ἤσκησε φυλάξαι τὸ μὴ κτήσασθαι δύο χιτῶνας, μηδὲ μεριμνῆσαι περὶ τῆς αὔριον μετὰ τῶν συνόντων αὐτῷ μέχρι θανάτου. Ὅτε οὖν συνέβη τὸν ἀββᾶν Γελάσιον, ἐκ θείας συνεργίας συστήσασθαι τὸ κοινόβιον, προσεφέροντο αὐτῷ καὶ χωρία πολλά ἐκτήσατο δὲ καὶ τὰ πρὸς τὰς χρείας τοῦ κοινοβίου κτήνη ἀχθοφόρα καὶ βόας. Ὁ γάρ χρηματίσας τῷ θείῳ Παχωμίῳ ἐν πρώτοις κοινόβιον συστήσασθαι, καὶ τούτῳ συνήργει εἰς τὴν πᾶσαν τοῦ μοναστηρίου σύστασιν. Ἐν τούτοις οὖν βλέπων αὐτὸν ὁ προειρημένος γέρων, καὶ γνησίαν σώζων πρὸς αὐτὸν ἀγάπην, ἔλεγεν αὐτῷ· Φοβοῦμαι, ἀββᾶ Γελάσιε, μὴ δεθῇ ὁ λογισμός σου εἰς τὰ χωρία καὶ τὴν λοιπὴν κτῆσιν τοῦ κοινοβίου. Ὁ δὲ πρὸς αὐτόν· Δέδεται μᾶλλον ὁ λογισμός σου εἰς τὸ κεντητῆριν ἐν ᾧ ἐργάζῃ, ἢ ὁ λογισμὸς Γελασίου εἰς τὰ κτήματα. ### English translation (Claude) They said of him that in his youth he pursued the life of poverty and solitude; and at that time there were also very many others in the same places who embraced the same life with him. Among them was an old man of the utmost simplicity and poverty, who lived in a solitary cell until his death, though in his old age he had disciples. He practiced not owning two tunics, and not taking thought for the morrow, together with those with him, until death. So when it came about that abba Gelasius, with divine help, founded the community, many lands were offered to him; and he also acquired pack animals and oxen for the needs of the community. For the one who had directed the divine Pachomius at the first to found a community worked with this man too in the whole establishment of the monastery. Seeing him occupied in these things, the old man mentioned above, keeping a genuine love for him, said to him, “I fear, abba Gelasius, that your thought may be bound to the lands and the rest of the community’s property.” But he said to him, “Your thought is more bound to the awl you work with than Gelasius’s thought is to the possessions.” ### Scripture references - Matt 6:34: echo, low confidence - Luke 3:11: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The scan moves the saying’s ending (from “property … possessions”) into the middle, inside a passage from Migne’s notes; the notes are removed and the ending is put back in its place. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 21.5 (PG 65:151; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-5). ## Gelasius 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-21-6 - Source: PG 65:151–153 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Gelasius cures his urge to go to the desert by trying its hardships in his courtyard for three days. ### Greek text Ἕλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Γελασίου, ὅτι πολλάκις ἐνοχληθεὶς ὑπὸ τῶν λογισμῶν ἀπελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ἔρημον, μιᾷ τῶν ἡμερῶν λέγει τῷ μαθητῇ αὐτοῦ· Ποίησον ἀγάπην, ἀδελφὲ, καὶ εἴ τι δ᾽ ἂν ποιήσω, βάσταξον, καὶ μηδὲν λαλήσῃς μοι τὴν ἑβδομάδα ταύτην. Καὶ λαβὼν βαΐνην ῥάβδον, ἤρξατο περιπατεῖν εἰς τὸ αὐλύδριον αὐτοῦ καὶ κοπιάσας ἐκάθισε μικρὸν, καὶ πάλιν ἀναστὰς περιεπάτει. Γενομένης δὲ ἐσπέρας, λέγει τῷ λογισμῷ· Ὁ εἰς τὴν ἔρημον περιπατῶν ἄρτον οὐκ ἐσθίει, ἀλλὰ βοτάνας· σὺ δὲ διὰ τὴν ἀσθένειὰν σου φάγε λεπτολάχανον. Καὶ ποιήσας οὕτως, πάλιν λέγει τῷ λογισμῷ· Ὁ εἰς τὴν ἔρημον ὑπὸ στέγην οὐ κοιμᾶται, ἀλλὰ ὑπὸ τὸν ἀέρα· καὶ οὖν ποίησον οὕτως· καὶ κλίνας ἑαυτὸν, κοιμᾶται εἰς τὸ αὐλύδριον. Ποιήσας οὖν τρεῖς ἡμέρας περιπατῶν ἐν τῷ μοναστηρίῳ, καθ' ἑσπέραν ἐσθίων μικρὰς σέρεις, τὰς δὲ νύκτας κοιμώμενος ὑπὸ τὸν ἀέρα, ἐκοπίασε· καὶ ἐπιτιμήσας τῷ λογισμῷ τῷ ὀχλοῦντι αὐτῷ, ἤλεγχεν αὐτὸν, λέγων· Εἰ οὐ δύνασαι ποιῆσαι τὰ ἔργα τῆς ἐρήμου, κάθου εἰς τὸ κελλίον σου μεθ' ὑπομονῆς, κλαίων τὰς ἁμαρτίας σου, καὶ μὴ πλάζου· πανταχοῦ γὰρ ὁ τοῦ Θεοῦ. ὀφθαλμὸς βλέπει τὰ ἔργα τῶν ἀνθρώπων, καὶ οὐδὲν αὐτῷ λανθάνει, καὶ συνιεῖ τοὺς ἀγαθὸν ἐργαζομένους. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Gelasius that, being often troubled by thoughts urging him to go away into the desert, one day he says to his disciple, “Do me a kindness, brother: whatever I do, bear with it, and say nothing to me this week.” And taking a palm stick, he began walking about in his little courtyard; and when he was tired he sat a little, and then got up again and walked. When evening came, he says to his thought, “One who walks in the desert does not eat bread, but herbs; but you, because of your weakness, eat a few greens.” And having done so, he again says to his thought, “One in the desert does not sleep under a roof, but in the open air; so do the same.” And lying down, he sleeps in the courtyard. So after walking about the monastery for three days, eating a few chicory leaves each evening and sleeping in the open at night, he grew weary; and rebuking the thought that troubled him, he reproved it, saying, “If you cannot do the works of the desert, sit in your cell with patience, weeping for your sins, and do not wander; for the eye of God sees the works of men everywhere, and nothing escapes him, and he understands those who do good.” ### Scripture references - Prov 15:3: echo, medium confidence ### Translation notes - A passage of Migne’s notes merged into the Greek is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 21.6 (PG 65:151–153; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-6). ## Gerontius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-22-1 - Source: PG 65:153 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Gerontius warns that one can commit sexual sin in the mind while the body remains virgin. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Γερόντιος ὁ τῆς Πέτρας, ὅτι πολλοὶ πειραζόμενοι ἐκ σωματικῶν ἡδονῶν, μὴ πλησιάσαντες σώμασι, κατὰ διάνοιαν ἐξεπόρνευσαν· καὶ τῶν σωμάτων παρθένων φυλαττομένων, κατὰ ψυχὴν ἐκπορνεύουσι. Καλὸν οὖν, ἀγαπητοὶ, ποιεῖν τὸ γεγραμμένον, καὶ πάσῃ φυλακῇ τηρεῖν τὴν ἑαυτοῦ καρδίαν ἕκαστον. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Gerontius of Petra said, “Many who are tempted by bodily pleasures, without coming near bodies, have committed sexual immorality in their mind; and while their bodies are kept virgin, they commit sexual immorality in soul. So it is good, beloved, to do what is written, and for each to guard his own heart with all watchfulness.” ### Scripture references - Prov 4:23: quotation, high confidence - Matt 5:28: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Prov 4:23. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 22.1 (PG 65:153; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/22-1). ## Daniel 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-23-1 - Source: PG 65:153 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Daniel passes unseen through barbarian raiders, then flees like the others. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Δανιήλ, ὅτι ὅτε ἦλθον οἱ βάρβαροι εἰς Σκῆτιν, ἔφυγον οἱ Πατέρες· καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Εἰ μὴ φροντίζει μου ὁ Θεὸς, ἵνα τί καὶ ζῶ; καὶ παρῆλθε διὰ τῶν βαρβάρων, καὶ οὐκ εἶδον αὐτόν. Λέγει τότε πρὸς ἑαυτόν· Ἰδοὺ ἐφρόντισέ μου ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ οὐκ ἀπέθανον, ποίησον οὖν καὶ σὺ τὸ ἀνθρώπινον, καὶ φύγε ὡς οἱ Πατέρες ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Daniel that when the barbarians came to Scetis, the Fathers fled; and the old man says, “If God does not care for me, why do I even live?” And he passed through the middle of the barbarians, and they did not see him. Then he says to himself, “Look, God has cared for me, and I did not die; now you too do what is human, and flee like the Fathers.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 23.1 (PG 65:153; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/23-1). ## Daniel 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-23-2 - Source: PG 65:153 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Daniel tells a brother never to eat from one dish with a woman. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Δανιήλ, λέγων· Δός μοι μίαν ἐντολὴν, καὶ φυλάξω αὐτήν. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Μηδέποτε χαλάσῃς τὴν χεῖρά σου μετὰ γυναικὸς εἰς πινάκιν, καὶ φάγῃς μετ' αὐτῆς· καὶ ἐν τούτῳ φεύξῃ ἐκ τοῦ δαίμονος τῆς πορνείας μικρόν ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Daniel, saying, “Give me one commandment, and I will keep it.” And he says to him, “Never put your hand into a dish with a woman and eat with her; and in this you will escape the demon of sexual immorality a little.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 23.2 (PG 65:153; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/23-2). ## Daniel 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-23-3 - Source: PG 65:153–155 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A possessed girl is freed when a monk she strikes turns the other cheek. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Δανιὴλ, ὅτι ὧν ἐν Βαβυλῶνι θυγάτηρ πρωτεύοντος δαιμόνιον ἔχουσα εἶχε δὲ ὁ πατὴρ αὐτῆς ἀγαπητὸν μοναχόν τινα· καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Οὐδεὶς δύναται θεραπεῦσαι τὴν θυγατέρα σου, εἰ μὴ οὓς οἶδα ἀναχωρητάς· καὶ ἐὰν αὐτοὺς παρακαλέσῃς, οὐκ ἀνέχονται τοῦτο ποιῆσαι διὰ ταπεινοφροσύνην. Ἀλλὰ τοῦτο ποιήσωμεν· ὅτ᾽ ἂν ἔλθωσιν εἰς τὴν ἀγορὰν, ποιήσατε ἑαυτοὺς ὡς θέλοντες ἀγοράσαι σκεύη· καὶ ὅταν ἔλθωσι λαβεῖν τὴν τιμὴν αὐτῶν, λέγομεν αὐτοῖς ἵνα ποιήσωσιν εὐχὴν, καὶ πιστεύω ὅτι θεραπεύεται. Καὶ ἐξελθόντες ἐν τῇ ἀγορᾷ, εὗρον ἕνα μαθητὴν τῶν γερόντων καθήμενον ἵνα πωλήσῃ τὰ σκεύη αὐτῶν καὶ ἔλαβον αὐτὸν μετὰ τῶν σπυρίδων, ὡς ἵνα λάβῃ τὸ τίμημα αὐτῶν. Καὶ ὅτε ἦλθεν ὁ μοναχὸς εἰς τὸν οἶχον, ἦλθεν ἡ δαιμονιζομένη, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ῥάπισμα Ὁ δὲ ἔστρεψε καὶ τὴν ἄλλην σιαγόνα, κατὰ τὴν ἐντολὴν τοῦ Κυρίου. Καὶ βασανισθεὶς ὁ δαίμων, ἔκραξε λέγων· Ὢ βία! ἡ ἐντολὴ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἐκβάλλει με. Καὶ εὐθέως ἐκαθαρίσθη ἡ γυνή Καὶ ὡς ἦλθον οἱ γέροντες, ἀνήγγειλαν αὐτοῖς τὸ γενόμενον. Καὶ ἐδόξασαν τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ εἶπον· Ἔθος ἐστὶ τῇ ὑπερηφανίᾳ τοῦ διαβόλου, πίπτειν ἀπὸ τῆς ταπεινώσεως τῆς ἐντολῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ### English translation (Claude) Abba Daniel said that in Babylon the daughter of a leading man had a demon; and her father had a monk dear to him, who says to him, “No one can heal your daughter except some anchorites I know; and if you ask them, they will not consent to do it, out of humility. But let us do this: when they come to the market, make as if you want to buy their wares; and when they come to receive their price, let us tell them to say a prayer, and I believe she will be healed.” And going out into the market, they found one of the old men’s disciples sitting to sell their wares, and they took him with the baskets, as though he were to receive the price for them. And when the monk came into the house, the possessed girl came and struck him on the cheek. But he turned the other cheek also, according to the Lord’s commandment. And the demon, tormented, cried out, saying, “O violence! The commandment of Jesus drives me out.” And at once the woman was cleansed. And when the old men came, they told them what had happened. And they glorified God and said, “It is the way of the devil’s pride to fall before the humility of Christ’s commandment.” ### Scripture references - Matt 5:39: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - The scan interleaves with this saying a long passage from another work (a story of the spirit of fornication and an image, from Migne’s notes) and variant notes; they are removed, and the saying’s own words are kept in order. “Babylon” is the fortress near Old Cairo. The last sentence breaks off in the scan. Matt 5:39. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 23.3 (PG 65:153–155; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/23-3). ## Daniel 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-23-4 - Source: PG 65:155 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The soul thrives as the body is made lean. ### Greek text Ἔλεγε πάλιν ὁ ἀββᾶς Δανιὴλ, ὅτι ὅσον τὸ σῶμα θάλλει, τοσοῦτον ἡ ψυχὴ λεπτύνεται· καὶ ὅσον τὸ σῶμα λεπτύνεται, τοσοῦτον ἡ ψυχὴ θάλλει. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Daniel also said, “As much as the body flourishes, so much the soul grows thin; and as much as the body grows thin, so much the soul flourishes.” ### Scripture references - 2 Cor 4:16: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 23.4 (PG 65:155; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/23-4). ## Daniel 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-23-5 - Source: PG 65:155 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Daniel reminds Ammoes that God is with them outside the cell as well as in it. ### Greek text Ωδευόν ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Δανιὴλ καὶ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀμμώης. Καὶ λέγει ὁ ἀββᾶς Αμμώης Πότε καθεζόμεθα καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς τὸ κελλίον, Πάτερ; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Δανιήλ· Τίς γὰρ ἀφαιρεῖ ἀφ᾿ ἡμῶν τὸν Θεὸν ἄρτι ὁ Θεός ἐστιν ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ, καὶ πάλιν ἔξω ὁ Θεός ἐστιν. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Daniel and abba Ammoes were traveling. And abba Ammoes says, “When shall we too settle in a cell, father?” Abba Daniel says to him, “Who takes God away from us now? God is in the cell, and again God is outside.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 23.5 (PG 65:155; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/23-5). ## Daniel 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-23-6 - Source: PG 65:155 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A thief whom Arsenius tried to win over keeps stealing and is expelled. ### Greek text Διηγήσατο ὁ ἀββᾶς Δανιήλ, ὅτι Ὅτε ἦν ἐν Σκήτει ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος, ἦν τις ἐκεῖ μοναχὸς κλέπτων τὰ σκεύη τῶν γερόντων. Καὶ ἔλαβεν αὐτὸν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος εἰς τὴν κέλλαν αὐτοῦ, θέλων αὐτὸν κερδῆσαι, καὶ τοὺς γέροντας ἀναπαῦσαι, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Εἴ τι ἂν θέλῃς, ἐγώ σοι παρέχω· μόνον μὴ κλέψῃς καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ χρυσίον καὶ κέρμα καὶ ἱματισμὸν, καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν χρείαν αὐτοῦ Ἀπελθὼν δὲ πάλιν ἔκλεπτεν. Οἱ οὖν γέροντες, ἰδόντες ὅτι οὐκ ἐπαύσατο, ἐδίωξαν αὐτὸν, λέγοντες, ὅτι Ἐὰν εὑρεθῇ ἀδελφὸς ἔχων ἀσθένειαν ἐλαττώματος, χρὴ βαστάζειν αὐτόν· ἐὰν δὲ κλέπτῃ, διώξατε αὐτόν· ὅτι καὶ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ζημιοῖ, καὶ ὅλους τοὺς ἐν τῷ τόπῳ ταράττει. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Daniel related: “When abba Arsenius was at Scetis, there was a monk there who stole the old men’s belongings. Abba Arsenius took him into his cell, wanting to win him and to give the old men rest, and says to him, ‘Whatever you want, I will provide for you; only do not steal.’ And he gave him gold and coins and clothing and all he needed. But he went away and stole again. So the old men, seeing that he did not stop, drove him out, saying, ‘If a brother is found who has the weakness of some fault, one must bear with him; but if he steals, drive him out, because he harms his own soul and troubles everyone in the place.’” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 23.6 (PG 65:155; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/23-6). ## Daniel 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-23-7 - Source: PG 65:155–159 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A monk who held the Eucharistic bread to be only a figure is convinced by a vision of the sacrificed Christ child. ### Greek text Διηγήσατο ὁ ἀββᾶς Δανιὴλ ὁ Φαρανίτης ὅτι Εἶπεν ὁ Πατὴρ ἡμῶν ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος περί τινος Σκητιώτου, ὅτι ἦν πρακτικὸς μέγας ἀφελὴς δὲ εἰς τὴν πίστιν καὶ ἐσφάλλετο διὰ ἰδιωτείαν καὶ ἔλεγεν Οὐκ ἔστι φύσει ὁ ἄρτος ὃν λαμβάνομεν σῶμα Χριστοῦ, ἀλλ᾽ ἀντίτυπον. Καὶ ἤκουσαν δύο γέροντες ὅτι λέγει τὸν λόγον τοῦτον, καὶ γινώσκοντες μέγαν αὐτὸν ὄντα τῷ βίῳ, ἐλογίσαντο ὅτι ἐν ἀκακίᾳ καὶ ἀφελότητι λέγει, καὶ ἦλθον πρὸς αὐτὸν, καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, λόγον ἠκούσαμεν περὶ τινὸς ἄπιστον ὅτι λέγει ὅτι ὁ ἄρτος ὃν μεταλαμβάνομεν, οὐκ ἔστι φύσει σῶμα Χριστοῦ, ἀλλ᾿ ἀντίτυπόν ἐστι. Λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ τοῦτο λέγων. Οἱ δὲ παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν λέγοντες· Μὴ οὕτως κρατήσῃς, ἀββᾶ, ἀλλ᾿ ὡς παρέδωκεν ἡ καθολικὴ Ἐκκλησία. Ἡμεῖς γὰρ πιστεύομεν, ὅτι αὐτὸς ὁ ἄρτος σῶμά ἐστι τοῦ Χριστοῦ, καὶ τὸ ποτήριον αὐτό ἐστι τὸ αἷμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ, κατὰ ἀλήθειαν, καὶ οὐ κατ' ἀντίτυπον. Αλλ' ὥσπερ ἐν ἀρχῇ χοῦν λαβὼν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἔπλασε τὸν ἄνθρωπον κατ' εἰκόνα αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐδεὶς δύναται εἰπεῖν ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν εἰκὼν Θεοῦ, εἰ καὶ ἀκατάληπτος· οὕτως ὁ ἄρτος ὃν εἶπεν ὅτι Σῶμά μού ἐστιν, οὕτως πιστεύομεν ὅτι κατὰ ἀλήθειαν σῶμά ἐστι Χριστοῦ. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἔφη· Ἐὰν μὴ πεισθῶ ἀπὸ πράγματος, οὐ πληροφοροῦμαι. Οἱ δὲ εἶπον πρὸς αὐτόν· Δεηθῶμεν τοῦ Θεοῦ τὴν ἑβδομάδα ταύτην περὶ τοῦ μυστηρίου τούτου, καὶ πιστεύομεν ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς ἀποκαλύπτει ἡμῖν. Ὁ δὲ γέρων μετὰ χαρᾶς ἐδέξατο τὸν λόγον· καὶ ἐδέετο τοῦ Θεοῦ, λέγων· Κύριε, σὺ γινώσκεις ὅτι οὐ κατὰ κακίαν ἀπιστῶ· ἀλλ᾽ ὅπως μὴ ἐν ἀγνωσίᾳ πλανηθῶ, ἀποκάλυψόν μοι, Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ. Ἀπελθόντες δὲ οἱ γέροντες εἰς τὰ κελλία ἑαυτῶν, παρεκάλουν τὸν Θεὸν καὶ αὐτοὶ, λέγοντες· Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστὲ, ἀποκάλυψον τῷ γέροντι τὸ μυστήριον τοῦτο, ἵνα πιστεύσῃ, καὶ μὴ ἀπολέσῃ τὸν κόπον αὐτοῦ. Καὶ εἰσήκουσεν ὁ Θεὸς ἀμφοτέρων. Καὶ πληρωθείσης τῆς ἑβδομάδος, ἦλθον τῇ Κυριακῇ εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, καὶ ἔστησαν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ οἱ τρεῖς μόνοι εἰς ἓν ἐμβρίμιν μέσος δὲ ἦν ὁ γέρων. Ἀνεώχθησαν δὲ αὐτῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί καὶ ὅτε ἐτέθη ὁ ἄρτος εἰς τὴν ἁγίαν τράπεζαν, ἐφαίνετο τοῖς τρισὶ μόνοις ὡς παιδίον. Καὶ ὡς ἐξέτεινεν ὁ πρεσβύτερος τὴν χεῖρα κλάσαι τὸν ἄρτον, ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος Κυρίου κατῆλθεν ἐξ οὐρανοῦ ἔχων μάχαιραν, καὶ ἔθυσε τὸ παιδίον, καὶ ἐκένωσε τὸ αἷμα αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ ποτήριον. Ὡς δὲ ἔκλασεν ὁ πρεσβύτερος εἰς μικρὰ μέρη τὸν ἄρτον, καὶ ὁ ἄγγελος ἔκοπτεν ἐκ τοῦ παιδίου μικρὰ μέρη. Καὶ ὡς προσῆλθον λαβεῖν ἐκ τῶν ἁγίων, ἐδόθη τῷ γέροντι μόνῳ κρέας ἡματωμένον· καὶ ἰδὼν ἐφοβήθη, καὶ ἔκραξε λέγων· Πιστεύω, Κύριε, ὅτι ὁ ἄρτος σῶμά σοὐ ἐστι, καὶ τὸ ποτήριον αἷμά σου ἐστι. Καὶ εὐθέως ἐγένετο τὸ ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ κρέας, ἄρτος κατὰ τὸ μυστήριον· καὶ μετέλαβεν εὐχαριστῶν τῷ Θεῷ. Καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ οἱ γέροντες Ὁ Θεὸς οἶδε τὴν ἀνθρωπίνην φύσιν, ὅτι οὐ δύναται φαγεῖν κρέα ὠμὰ, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο μετεποίησε τὸ σῶμα εἰς ἄρτον, καὶ τὸ αἷμα αὐτοῦ εἰς οἶνον, τοῖς πίστει δεχομένοις. Καὶ ηὐχαρίστησαν τῷ Θεῷ περὶ τοῦ γέροντος, ὅτι οὐκ ἀφῆκεν ἀπολέσθαι τοὺς κόπους αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀπῆλθον οἱ τρεῖς μετὰ χαρᾶς εἰς τὰ κελλία αὐτῶν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Daniel of Pharan related: “Our father abba Arsenius said about a certain monk of Scetis that he was great in practice but simple in faith, and he erred through lack of learning and used to say, ‘The bread we receive is not by nature the body of Christ, but a figure.’ Two old men heard that he said this, and knowing him to be great in his life, they reckoned that he spoke in innocence and simplicity; and they came to him and say to him, ‘Abba, we have heard a faithless word about someone, that he says that the bread we partake of is not by nature the body of Christ, but is a figure.’ The old man says, ‘I am the one who says this.’ But they begged him, saying, ‘Do not hold it so, abba, but as the catholic church has handed it down. For we believe that the bread itself is the body of Christ, and the cup itself is the blood of Christ, in truth and not in figure. But just as in the beginning he took dust from the earth and formed man according to his image, and no one can say that he is not the image of God, even though incomprehensible; so the bread of which he said, “This is my body,” we believe is truly the body of Christ.’ The old man said, ‘Unless I am persuaded by the thing itself, I am not convinced.’ They said to him, ‘Let us pray to God this week about this mystery, and we believe that God will reveal it to us.’ The old man accepted the word with joy, and he prayed to God, saying, ‘Lord, you know that I do not disbelieve out of malice; but so that I may not go astray in ignorance, reveal it to me, Lord Jesus Christ.’ The old men went away to their cells and themselves also besought God, saying, ‘Lord Jesus Christ, reveal this mystery to the old man, so that he may believe and not lose his labor.’ And God heard them both. When the week was completed, they came to church on the Lord’s day, and the three stood together alone on one mat, with the old man in the middle. Their eyes were opened; and when the bread was placed on the holy table, it appeared to the three alone as a child. And when the presbyter stretched out his hand to break the bread, look, an angel of the Lord came down from heaven holding a knife, and he sacrificed the child and poured its blood into the cup. And as the presbyter broke the bread into small pieces, the angel also cut small pieces from the child. And when they came forward to receive the holy things, to the old man alone was given bloody flesh. Seeing it, he was afraid and cried out, saying, ‘I believe, Lord, that the bread is your body and the cup is your blood.’ And at once the flesh in his hand became bread, according to the mystery; and he partook, giving thanks to God. And the old men say to him, ‘God knows human nature, that it cannot eat raw flesh, and for this reason he changed the body into bread and his blood into wine for those who receive it in faith.’ And they gave thanks to God for the old man, that he had not let his labors be lost, and the three went back with joy to their cells.” ### Scripture references - Matt 26:26: quotation, high confidence - Gen 2:7: allusion, medium confidence - Gen 1:27: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - The saying sets the view that the bread is a “figure” (ἀντίτυπον) against the church’s teaching that it is truly Christ’s body, and settles the question by a vision; it is translated as written. Variant notes are removed. Quotation of Christ’s words (Matt 26:26); the formation of man: Gen 1:27; 2:7. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 23.7 (PG 65:155–159; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/23-7). ## Daniel 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-23-8 - Source: PG 65:159 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Cyril of Alexandria leads a simple monk to discover by prayer that Melchizedek was a man, not the Son of God. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἀββᾶς Δανιὴλ διηγήσατο περὶ ἄλλου τινὸς γέροντος μεγάλου, καθημένου εἰς τὰ κάτω μέρη τῆς Αἰγύπτου, ὅτι ἔλεγεν ἐν ἀφελότητι, ὅτι ὁ Μελχισεδέκ υἱός ἐστι τοῦ Θεοῦ. Καὶ ἀνηγγέλη τῷ μακαρίῳ Κυρίλλῳ τῷ ἀρχιεπισκόπῳ Ἀλεξανδρείας περὶ αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἔπεμψεν ἐπ' αὐτόν. Εἰδὼς δὲ ὅτι σημειοφόρος ἐστὶν ὁ γέρων, καὶ εἴ τι αἰτεῖ τῷ Θεῷ, ἀποκαλύπτει αὐτῷ, καὶ ὅτι ἐν ἀφελότητι λέγει τὸν λόγον, ἐχρήσατο τοιαύτῃ σοφίᾳ, λέγων· Ἀββᾶ, παρακαλῶ σε, ἐπειδὴ ὁ λογισμός μου λέγει, ὅτι ὁ Μελχισεδέκ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστι, καὶ ἄλλος λογισμὸς λέγει, ὅτι οῦ, ἀλλ᾽ ἄνθρωπός ἐστιν ἀρχιερεὺς τοῦ Θεοῦ· ἐπεὶ οὖν διστάζω περὶ τούτου, ἀπέστειλα πρὸς σὲ, ἵνα δεηθῇς τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὅπως σοι ἀποκαλύψῃ περὶ τούτου Ὁ δὲ γέρων τῇ αὐτοῦ πολιτείᾳ θαῤῥῶν, εἶπε μετὰ παῤῥησίας· Ενδος μοι τρεῖς ἡμέρας, κἀγὼ ἐρωτῶ τὸν Θεὸν περὶ τούτου, καὶ ἀναγγέλλω σοι τίς ἐστιν. Ἀπελθὼν οὖν ἐδέετο τοῦ Θεοῦ περὶ τοῦ ῥήματος τούτου. Καὶ ἐλθὼν μετὰ τρεῖς ἡμέρας, λέγει τῷ μακαρίῳ Κυρίλλῳ, ὅτι ἄνθρωπός ἐστιν ὁ Μελχισεδέκ. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἀρχιεπίσκοπος· Πῶς οἶδας, ἀββᾶ; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ὁ Θεὸς ἀπεκάλυψέ μοι ὅλους τοὺς πατριάρχας, οὕτω; ἕνα ἕκαστον παρερχόμενον ἐνώπιόν μοῦ, ἀπὸ Ἀδάμ μέχρι Μελχισεδέκ καὶ θάρσει ὅτι οὕτως ἐστίν. Ἀπελθὼν οὖν, δι᾽ ἑαυτοῦ ἐκήρυσσεν ὅτι ἄνθρωπός ἐστιν ὁ Μελχισεδέκ. Καὶ ἐχάρη μεγάλως ὁ μακάριος Κύριλλος. ### English translation (Claude) The same abba Daniel related about another great old man living in the lower parts of Egypt, that he said in simplicity that Melchizedek is the Son of God. And this was reported about him to blessed Cyril, archbishop of Alexandria, and he sent for him. Knowing that the old man was a wonder-worker and that whatever he asked of God was revealed to him, and that he said the word in simplicity, he used this wisdom, saying, “Abba, I beg you: since my thought says that Melchizedek is the Son of God, and another thought says, no, but he is a man, a high priest of God, since I am in doubt about this, I have sent for you so that you may pray to God that he reveal this to you.” The old man, confident in his way of life, said boldly, “Give me three days, and I will ask God about this and tell you who he is.” So he went away and prayed to God about this question. And coming after three days, he says to blessed Cyril that Melchizedek is a man. And the archbishop said to him, “How do you know, abba?” He said, “God showed me all the patriarchs, each one passing before me, from Adam to Melchizedek; so be sure that this is so.” So he went away and of his own accord proclaimed that Melchizedek is a man. And blessed Cyril rejoiced greatly. ### Scripture references - Gen 14:18: allusion, medium confidence - Heb 7:3: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Cyril was archbishop of Alexandria 412–444. The view that Melchizedek was the Son of God or a heavenly power (cf. Heb 7:3) was held by some groups and rejected. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 23.8 (PG 65:159; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/23-8). ## Dioscorus 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-24-1 - Source: PG 65:159 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Dioscorus took up a new discipline every year. ### Greek text Διηγήσαντο περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Διοσκόρου τῆς Ναχιάστεως ὅτι ὁ ἄρτος αὐτοῦ κρίθινος ἦν καὶ ἀπὸ φακοῦ. Καὶ κατ᾿ ἐνιαυτὸν ἔβαλεν ἀρχὴν μιᾶς πολιτείας, λέγων· Οὐκ ἀπαντῶ τινι τὸ ἔτος τοῦτο, ἢ οὐ λαλῶ, ἢ οὐ τρώγω ἔψημα, ἢ οὐ τρώγω ὀπώραν ἢ λάχανον. Καὶ εἰς πᾶσαν ἐργασίαν οὕτως ἐποίει· καὶ τελειῶν τὸ ἓν, ἐλάμβανε τὸ ἄλλο. Καὶ τοῦτο ἐποίει κατὰ ἐνιαυτόν. ### English translation (Claude) They related of abba Dioscorus of Namisias that his bread was of barley and lentils. And every year he made a beginning of one discipline, saying, “This year I will not meet anyone,” or “I will not speak,” or “I will not eat cooked food,” or “I will not eat fruit or vegetables.” And he did this in every work; and finishing one, he would take up another. And this he did every year. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 24.1 (PG 65:159; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/24-1). ## Dioscorus 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-24-2 - Source: PG 65:159–161 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Dioscorus says that if he saw his sins, several men could not weep enough for them. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, ὅτι ταράσσουσί με οἱ λογισμοί μου, τοῦ ἀφεῖναί με τὰς ἁμαρτίας μου, καὶ ποιοῦσί με προσέχειν εἰς τὰ ὑστερήματα τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ μου. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Διοσκόρου, ὅτι ἦν ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ κλαίων ἑαυτόν· ὁ δὲ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ ἐν ἄλλῳ κελλίῳ ἐκάθητο. Ὅτε οὖν παρέβαλε τῷ γέροντι, εὕρισκεν αὐτὸν κλαίοντα, καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτῷ· Πάτερ, τί κλαίεις; Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἔλεγεν Τὰς ἁμαρτίας μου κλαίω. Λέγει οὖν αὐτῷ ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ· Οὐκ ἔχεις ἁμαρτίας, Πάτερ. Καὶ ἀπεκρίθη ὁ γέρων· Φύσει, τέκνον, ἐὰν ἀφεθῶ ἰδεῖν τὰς ἁμαρτίας μου, οὐκ ἀρκοῦσιν ἄλλοι τρεῖς ἢ τέσσαρες κλαῦσαι αὐτάς. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, “My thoughts trouble me, making me neglect my sins and attend to the faults of my brother.” And the old man told him about abba Dioscorus, that he was in his cell weeping for himself, while his disciple lived in another cell. When the disciple visited the old man, he found him weeping, and said to him, “Father, why are you weeping?” The old man said, “I am weeping for my sins.” So his disciple says to him, “You have no sins, father.” And the old man answered, “Truly, child, if I were allowed to see my sins, three or four others would not be enough to weep for them.” ### Scripture references - Matt 7:3: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - A line from another saying (about an angel and Melchizedek) and a variant note are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 24.2 (PG 65:159–161; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/24-2). ## Dioscorus 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-24-3 - Source: PG 65:161 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Dioscorus warns monks to be found clothed in the heavenly wedding garment at the judgment. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Διόσκορος, ὅτι Ἐὰν φορέσωμεν ἡμῶν τὸ οὐράνιον ἔνδυμα, οὐκ ἂν εὑρεθῶμεν γυμνοί· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ εὑρεθῶμεν φοροῦντες τὸ ἔνδυμα ἐκεῖνο, τί ποιήσομεν, ἀδελφοί; ἔχομεν γὰρ καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀκοῦσαι τὴν φωνὴν ἐκείνην τὴν λέγουσαν· Ἔκβαλε τοῦτον εἰς τὸ σκότος τὸ ἐξώτερον· ἐκεῖ ἔσται ὁ κλαυθμὸς, καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων. Νυνὶ δὲ, ἀδελφοὶ, μεγάλη αἰσχύνη ἡμῖν, μετὰ τοσοῦτον χρόνον φοροῦντας ἡμᾶς τὸ σχῆμα εὑρεθῆναι ἐν τῇ ὥρᾳ τῆς ἀνάγκης, μὴ ἔχοντας τὸ ἔνδυμα τοῦ γάμου. Ὦ τῆς μετανοίας τῆς μελλούσης ἡμῖν προσγίνεσθαι! Ὢ τοῦ σκότους τοῦ μέλλοντος ἡμῖν ἐπιπίπτειν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν Πατέρων καὶ τῶν ἀδελφῶν ἡμῶν, βλεπόντων ἡμᾶς τιμωρουμένους ὑπὸ τῶν ἀγγέλων τῆς τιμωρίας ### English translation (Claude) Abba Dioscorus said, “If we wear our heavenly garment, we shall not be found naked; but if we are not found wearing that garment, what shall we do, brothers? For we too shall hear that voice that says, ‘Throw him into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ And now, brothers, it is a great shame for us, after wearing the habit so long, to be found in the hour of need without the wedding garment. Oh, the repentance that will come upon us! Oh, the darkness that will fall upon us before our Fathers and our brothers, as they see us punished by the angels of punishment!” ### Scripture references - Matt 22:13: quotation, high confidence - Matt 22:11: allusion, high confidence - 2 Cor 5:3: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Matt 22:13; the wedding garment: Matt 22:11–12; cf. 2 Cor 5:3. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 24.3 (PG 65:161; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/24-3). ## Doulas 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-25-1 - Source: PG 65:161 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Stillness and fasting together sharpen the inner eyes against the enemy. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Δουλᾶς· Ἐὰν ὁ ἐχθρὸς βιάζηται ἡμᾶς καταλιπεῖν τὴν ἡσυχίαν, μὴ ἀκούσωμεν αὐτοῦ· οὐδὲν γὰρ ὅμοιον αὐτῆς, καὶ τῆς ἀσιτίας. Συγκρίνεται εἰς συμμαχίαν κατ' αὐτοῦ· ἐξυδορκίαν γὰρ παρέχουσι τοῖς ἔνδον ὄμμασιν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Doulas said, “If the enemy presses us to leave stillness, let us not listen to him; for nothing is like it and fasting. They are joined as allies against him; for they give sharp sight to the inner eyes.” ### Translation notes - Συγκρίνεται (“they are joined”) is probably corrupt in the scan; translated by sense. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 25.1 (PG 65:161; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/25-1). ## Doulas 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-25-2 - Source: PG 65:161 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Cut ties with many people to protect stillness. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Κόπτε τῶν πολλῶν τὰς σχέσεις, μή σου ὁ πόλεμος πρὸς τὸν νοῦν περιστατικὸς γένηται, καὶ τὸν τῆς ἡσυχίας ταράξῃ τρόπον. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Cut off your ties with the many, lest the war against your mind become overwhelming and disturb the way of stillness.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 25.2 (PG 65:161; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/25-2). ## Epiphanius of Cyprus 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-26-1 - Source: PG 65:161–163 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Athanasius interprets the crows’ “cras” as foretelling Julian’s death the next day. ### Greek text Διηγήσατο ὁ ἄἅγιος Ἐπιφάνιος ὁ ἐπίσκοπος ὅτι ἐπὶ τοῦ μακαρίου Ἀθανασίου τοῦ μεγάλου, κορῶναι περιϊπτάμεναι τὸ τοῦ Σεράπιδος ἱερὸν, ἔκραζον ἀπαύστως, Κρᾶς, Κρᾶς. Καὶ προστάντες ἐπὶ τὸν μακάριον Ἀθανάσιον οἱ Ἕλληνες, ἔκραξαν· Κακόγηρε, εἰπὲ ἡμῖν τί κράζουσιν αἱ κορῶναι. Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· Αἱ κορῶναι κράζουσι, Κρᾶς, Κρᾶς· τὸ δὲ Κρᾶς τῇ Αὐσωνίων φωνῇ αὔριόν ἐστι· καὶ προσετίθει, ὅτι Αὔριον ὄψεσθε τὴν δόξαν τοῦ Θεοῦ. Καὶ ἑξῆς ἡγγέλθη ὁ θάνατος τοῦ Ἰουλιανοῦ βασιλέως. Καὶ τούτου γενομένου, συνδραμόντες κατέκραζον τοῦ Σεράπιδος, λέγοντες· Ἐὰν οὐκ ἤθελες αὐτὸν, τἱ ἐλάμβανες τὰ αὐτοῦ; ### English translation (Claude) Holy Epiphanius the bishop related that in the time of the blessed Athanasius the Great, crows flying around the temple of Serapis cried unceasingly, “Cras, cras.” And the pagans stood before blessed Athanasius and cried out, “Evil old man, tell us what the crows are crying.” And he answered, “The crows are crying ‘Cras, cras’; and ‘cras’ in the language of the Ausonians means ‘tomorrow’”; and he added, “Tomorrow you will see the glory of God.” And next day the death of the emperor Julian was announced. When this happened, they ran together and cried out against Serapis, saying, “If you did not want him, why did you accept his offerings?” ### Translation notes - The Ausonians are the Latins; cras is Latin for “tomorrow.” Julian died in 363. A passage from another saying (a list of Fathers taken into the kingdom) and a line of Migne’s notes are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 26.1 (PG 65:161–163; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/26-1). ## Epiphanius of Cyprus 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-26-2 - Source: PG 65:163 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A crowd’s cry for a charioteer, “Mary’s son has fallen and risen,” coincides with news of Serapis’s fall. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς διηγήσατο, ὅτι ἦν τις ἡνίοχος κατὰ τὴν Ἀλεξανδρέων, ὃς ἦν μητρὸς Μαρίας υἱός. Οὗτος ἱππικοῦ ἐπιτελουμένου κατέπεσεν· εἶτα ἀναστὰς παρἤλθε τὸν καταβεβληκότα, καὶ ἐνίκησε. Καὶ τὸ πλῆθος ἀνεβόησεν· Ὁ Υἱὸς Μαρίας πέπτωκε καὶ ἐγήγερται καὶ ἐνίκησε. Ταύτης ἔτι τῆς φωνῆς λεγομένης ἐνέπεσεν ἡ περὶ τοῦ ἱεροῦ τοῦ Σεράπιδος φήμη τῷ πλήθει, ὅτι ὁ μέγας Θεόφιλος ἀνελθὼν, τὸ τοῦ Σεράπιδος κατέστρεψεν εἴδωλον, καὶ τοῦ ναοῦ γέγονεν ἐγκρατής. ### English translation (Claude) The same related that there was a charioteer in Alexandria whose mother was named Mary. During a race he fell; then he got up, overtook the one who had thrown him, and won. And the crowd cried out, “The son of Mary has fallen, and has risen, and has conquered!” While this cry was still being raised, the report about the temple of Serapis reached the crowd: that the great Theophilus had gone up and overthrown the idol of Serapis and taken possession of the temple. ### Translation notes - The Serapeum of Alexandria was destroyed under archbishop Theophilus in 391. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 26.2 (PG 65:163; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/26-2). ## Epiphanius of Cyprus 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-26-3 - Source: PG 65:163 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Epiphanius tells monks that keeping the set hours is not enough; a monk must pray unceasingly. ### Greek text Ἐδηλώθη τῷ μακαρίῳ Ἐπιφανίῳ τῷ ἐπισκόπῳ Κύπρου παρὰ τοῦ ἀββᾶ τῆς μονῆς ἧς εἶχεν ἐν Παλαιστίνῃ, ὅτι Εὐχαῖς σου οὐκ ἠμελήσαμεν τοῦ κανόνος ἡμῶν, ἀλλὰ μετὰ σπουδῆς καὶ τὴν τρίτην καὶ τὴν ἕκτην καὶ τὴν ἐννάτην ἐπιτελοῦμεν. Ὁ δὲ καταγνοὺς αὐτῶν, ἐδήλωσεν αὐτοῖς λέγων, ὅτι Φανεροί ἐστε ἀμελοῦντες τὰς ἄλλας ὥρας τῆς ἡμέρας ἀργοῦντες ἀπὸ τῆς εὐχῆς. Δεῖ γὰρ τὸν ἀληθινὸν μοναχὸν ἀδιαλείπτως ἔχειν τὴν εὐχὴν καὶ τὴν ψαλμῳδίαν ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) The abbot of the monastery that blessed Epiphanius, bishop of Cyprus, had in Palestine sent him word: “By your prayers we have not neglected our rule, but we carefully perform the third, the sixth, and the ninth hours.” But he rebuked them and sent them word, saying, “It is clear that you neglect the other hours of the day, being idle from prayer. For the true monk must have prayer and psalmody in his heart unceasingly.” ### Scripture references - 1 Thess 5:17: echo, medium confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 26.3 (PG 65:163; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/26-3). ## Epiphanius of Cyprus 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-26-4 - Source: PG 65:163 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hilarion admits that Epiphanius’s practice of never sleeping at enmity surpasses his own abstinence from meat. ### Greek text Ἔπεμψέ ποτε ὁ ἅγιος Ἐπιφάνιος πρὸς τὸν ἀβᾶν Ἰλαρίωνα, παρακαλῶν αὐτὸν, καὶ λέγων· Δεῦρο, ἴδωμεν ἑαυτοὺς πρὸ τοῦ ἐξελθεῖν ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ σώματος καὶ παραγενομένου αὐτοῦ, ἐχάρησαν μετ' ἀλλήλων. Ἐσθιόντων δὲ αὐτῶν, ἡνέχθη πετεινόν. Καὶ λαβὼν ὁ ἐπίσκοπος ἔδωκε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἰλαρίωνι. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Συγχώρησόν μοι, ὅτι ἐξ οὗ ἕλαβον τὸ σχῆμα, οὔκ ἔφαγον θῦμα. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἐπίσκοπος· Ἐγὼ δὲ ἐξ οὗ ἕλαβον τὸ σχῆμα, οὐκ ἀφῆκά τινα κοιμηθῆναι ἔχοντα κατ᾿ ἐμοῦ, οὐδὲ ἐγὼ ἐκοιμήθην ἔχων κατὰ τινός. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Συγχώρησόν μοι, ὅτι ἡ σὴ πολιτεία μείζων ἐστὶ τῆς ἐμῆς. ### English translation (Claude) Once holy Epiphanius sent to abba Hilarion, inviting him and saying, “Come, let us see each other before we depart from the body.” And when he came, they rejoiced together. As they were eating, a fowl was brought. The bishop took it and gave it to abba Hilarion. And the old man says to him, “Forgive me, but since I received the habit I have not eaten anything killed.” And the bishop says to him, “And I, since I received the habit, have not let anyone go to sleep holding something against me, nor have I gone to sleep holding something against anyone.” And the old man says to him, “Forgive me, your way of life is greater than mine.” ### Scripture references - Eph 4:26: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 26.4 (PG 65:163; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/26-4). ## Epiphanius of Cyprus 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-26-5 - Source: PG 65:163 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: If Melchizedek, Christ’s image, blessed Abraham, Christ himself blesses all believers much more. ### Greek text Ο αὐτὸς ἔλεγεν, ὅτι ἡ εἰκὼν τοῦ Χριστοῦ Μελχισεδέκ, τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν Ἰουδαίων εὐλόγησε τὸν Ἀβραάμ· πολλῷ πλέον αὐτὴ ἡ ἀλήθεια ὁ Χριστὸς, εὐλογεῖ καὶ ἀγιάζει πάντας τοὺς πιστεύοντας εἰς αὐτόν. ### English translation (Claude) The same said: “[If] Melchizedek, the image of Christ, blessed Abraham, the root of the Jews, much more does Christ himself, the truth, bless and sanctify all who believe in him.” ### Scripture references - Gen 14:19: allusion, high confidence - Heb 7:7: echo, medium confidence ### Translation notes - The scan garbles the opening and adds variant notes and part of Migne’s note on the crows of 26.1; these are removed. The conditional (“If”) is supplied by sense (it is given in the variant note). Melchizedek blesses Abraham: Gen 14:19; Heb 7:1–7. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 26.5 (PG 65:163; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/26-5). ## Epiphanius of Cyprus 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-26-6 - Source: PG 65:165 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Epiphanius contrasts biblical figures heard or condemned regardless of loud or silent prayer. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἔλεγεν· Ἡ Χαναναία βοᾷ καὶ ἀκούεται· καὶ ἡ αἰμόῤῥους σιωπᾷ καὶ μακαρίζεται· ὁ δὲ Φαρισαῖος κράζει καὶ κατακρίνεται· ὁ τελώνης οὐδὲ ἀνοίγει τὸ στόμα καὶ ἀκούεται. ### English translation (Claude) The same said, “The Canaanite woman cries out and is heard; the woman with the flow of blood is silent and is called blessed; the Pharisee shouts and is condemned; the tax collector does not even open his mouth and is heard.” ### Scripture references - Matt 15:22: allusion, high confidence - Mark 5:25: allusion, high confidence - Luke 18:10: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - The Canaanite woman: Matt 15:22–28; the woman with the flow of blood: Mark 5:25–34; the Pharisee and the tax collector: Luke 18:10–14. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 26.6 (PG 65:165; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/26-6). ## Epiphanius of Cyprus 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-26-7 - Source: PG 65:165 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: David prayed at every hour, as his ‘seven times a day’ shows. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἔλεγεν, ὅτι Δαβὶδ ὁ προφήτης, ἐν ἀωρίᾳ ηὔχετο, μεσονύκτιον ἐξηγείρετο, πρὸ τοῦ ὄρθρου παρεκάλει, ὄρθρου παρίστατο, πρωΐας ἐδέετο, ἑσπέρας καὶ μεσημβρίας ἱκέτευε, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ἔλεγεν Ἑπτάκις τῆς ἡμέρας ἤνεσά σε. ### English translation (Claude) The same said, “David the prophet prayed late at night; he rose at midnight; he besought God before dawn; at dawn he stood before him; in the early morning he made petition; at evening and at noon he made supplication; and therefore he said, ‘Seven times a day I have praised you.’” ### Scripture references - Ps 119:164 (118:164 LXX): quotation, high confidence - Ps 119:62 (118:62 LXX): allusion, medium confidence - Ps 55:17 (54:18 LXX): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Ps 119:164 (LXX 118:164); cf. Ps 119:62, 147; 55:17. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 26.7 (PG 65:165; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/26-7). ## Epiphanius of Cyprus 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-26-8 - Source: PG 65:165 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Epiphanius commends owning Christian books, whose very sight discourages sin. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι ἀναγκαία τῶν Χριστιανῶν δι βιβλίων ἡ κτῆσις δε τοῖς ἔχουσι. Καὶ αὐτὴ γὰρ καθ' ἑαυτὴν τῶν βιβλίων ἡ ὄψις, ὀκνηροτέρους ἡμᾶς πρὸς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἐργάζεται, καὶ πρὸς δικαιοσύνην μᾶλλον διανίστασθαι προτρέπεται. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Acquiring Christian books is necessary for those who can. For the mere sight of the books makes us more reluctant to sin and urges us to rise up rather toward righteousness.” ### Translation notes - The scan has stray letters (“δι”, “δε”) in the sentence; translated by sense. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 26.8 (PG 65:165; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/26-8). ## Epiphanius of Cyprus 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-26-9 - Source: PG 65:165 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Reading Scripture guards against sin. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι μεγάλη ἀσφάλεια πρὸς τὸ μὴ ἁμαρτάνειν, τῶν Γραφῶν ἡ ἀνάγνωσις. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Reading the Scriptures is a great safeguard against sinning.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 26.9 (PG 65:165; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/26-9). ## Epiphanius of Cyprus 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-26-10 - Source: PG 65:165 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Ignorance of Scripture is a precipice. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι μέγας κρημνὸς καὶ βαθὺ βάραθρον, τῶν Γραφῶν ἡ ἄγνοια. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Ignorance of the Scriptures is a great precipice and a deep abyss.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 26.10 (PG 65:165; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/26-10). ## Epiphanius of Cyprus 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-26-11 - Source: PG 65:165 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Ignorance of God’s laws betrays salvation. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι μεγάλη προδοσία σωτηρίας, τὸ μηδένα τῶν θείων νόμων εἰδέναι. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “To know nothing of the divine laws is a great betrayal of salvation.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 26.11 (PG 65:165; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/26-11). ## Epiphanius of Cyprus 12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-26-12 - Source: PG 65:165 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The sins of the righteous are of the lips; a fragment of saying 13 compares the Decalogue and the beatitudes. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἔλεγεν, ὅτι τὰ τῶν δικαίων ἁμαρτήματα περὶ τὰ χείλη ἐστὶ, τὰ δὲ τῶν ἀσεβῶν, ἐξ ὅλου τοῦ σώματος. Ὅθεν ψάλλει Δαβίδ· Θοῦ, Κύριε, φυλακὴν τῷ στόματί μου, καὶ θύραν περιοχῆς περὶ τὰ χείλη μου· Καί Εἶπα, Φυλάξω τὰς ὁδοὺς μου, τοῦ μὴ ἁμαρτάνειν με ἐν γλώσσῃ μου ιγ. Ει: νομικαὶ ἐντολαὶ, ἐννέα δὲ οἱ μακαρισμοί καὶ ἔφη· Ἰσάριθμος τῶν Αἰγυπτιακῶν μαστίγων ἡ Δεκάλογος· τριπλῆς δὲ Τριάδος εἰκὼν, ἡ τῶν μακαρισμῶν ἀρίθμησις. ### English translation (Claude) The same said, “The sins of the righteous are on the lips, but those of the ungodly come from the whole body. That is why David sings, ‘Set a guard, Lord, over my mouth, and a door of enclosure about my lips’; and, ‘I said, I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue.’” [13] … the commandments of the law, and nine the beatitudes; and he said, “The Decalogue is equal in number to the plagues of Egypt; the count of the beatitudes is an image of the threefold Trinity.” ### Scripture references - Ps 141:3 (140:3 LXX): quotation, high confidence - Ps 39:1 (38:2 LXX): quotation, high confidence - Exod 20:1: echo, low confidence - Matt 5:3: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Quotations of Ps 141:3 (LXX 140:3) and Ps 39:1 (LXX 38:2). The scan runs the end of Epiphanius 13 (ιγʹ) into this saying, its opening lost (“…”; probably “Ten are the commandments …”); not supplied. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 26.12 (PG 65:165; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/26-12). ## Epiphanius of Cyprus 14 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-26-14 - Source: PG 65:165 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: One righteous man can turn God to mercy for a whole people. ### Greek text Ἠρωτήθη ὁ αὐτὸς, εἰ ἀρκεῖ εἷς δίκαιος δυσωπῆσαι τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ ἔφη· Ναὶ, αὐτὸς γὰρ εἶπεν· Ερευνήσατε ἕνα ποιοῦντα κρῆμα καὶ δικαιοσύνην, καὶ ἴλεως ἔσομαι παντὶ τῷ λαῷ. ### English translation (Claude) The same was asked whether one righteous man suffices to appease God, and he said, “Yes, for he himself said, ‘Search out one who does judgment and righteousness, and I will be merciful to all the people.’” ### Scripture references - Jer 5:1: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Jer 5:1 in a free form. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 26.14 (PG 65:165; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/26-14). ## Epiphanius of Cyprus 15 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-26-15 - Source: PG 65:165–167 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: God forgives repentant sinners their whole debt but asks interest of the righteous. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς εἶπεν, ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς τοῖς μὲν ἁμαρτωλοῖς καὶ τὸ κεφάλαιον παραχωρεῖ μετανοοῦσιν, ὡς τῇ πόρνῃ καὶ τῷ τελώνῃ τοὺς δὲ δικαίους ἀπαιτεῖ καὶ τόκους. Καὶ τοῦτό ἐστιν ὁ τοῖς ἀποστόλοις ἔλεγεν, ὅτι Ἐὰν μὴ περισσεύσῃ ἡ δικαιοσύνη ὑμῶν, πλέον τῶν γραμματέων καὶ Φαρισαίων, οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν. ### English translation (Claude) The same said that God forgives sinners even the principal when they repent, as he did the prostitute and the tax collector; but from the righteous he demands interest as well. And this is what he said to the apostles: “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” ### Scripture references - Matt 5:20: quotation, high confidence - Luke 7:37: allusion, medium confidence - Luke 18:13: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - A passage on the beatitudes that belongs to Epiphanius 13 and variant notes are removed from the middle of a word. Quotation of Matt 5:20; the sinful woman: Luke 7:37–50. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 26.15 (PG 65:165–167; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/26-15). ## Epiphanius of Cyprus 16 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-26-16 - Source: PG 65:167 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: God sells righteousness cheaply for small acts of charity. ### Greek text Ἔλεγε δὲ καὶ τοῦτο, ὅτι ὀλίγον πάνυ τὰς δικαιοσύνας ὁ Θεὸς πωλεῖ τοῖς ἀγοράζειν σπουδάζουσι μικροῦ κλάσματος ἄρτου, εὐτελοῦς ἱματίου, ψυχροῦ ποτηρίου, ἑνὸς ὀβολοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said this: that God sells righteousness very cheaply to those eager to buy it: for a small piece of bread, a cheap garment, a cup of cold water, one obol. ### Scripture references - Matt 10:42: echo, medium confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 26.16 (PG 65:167; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/26-16). ## Epiphanius of Cyprus 17 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/21-1/#p-26-17 - Source: PG 65:167 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: God borrows in secret and repays openly before the angels. ### Greek text Προσετίθει δὲ καὶ τοῦτο, ὅτι παρ' ἀνθρώπῳ δανειζόμενος ἄνθρωπος διὰ πενίαν, ἢ χρείαν εὐπορίας, καὶ ἀποδιδοὺς χάριτας μὲν ὁμολογεῖ, κρύφα δὲ ἀποδίδωσιν αἰσχυνόμενος. Ὁ δὲ δεσπότης Θεὸς τὸ ἀνάπαλιν· κρυφῆ δανειζόμενος ἐνώπιον ἀγγέλων καὶ ἀρχαγγέλων καὶ δικαίων ἀποδίδωσιν. ### English translation (Claude) He added this too: that a man who borrows from a man because of poverty or need of means, when he repays, acknowledges his gratitude but repays in secret, ashamed. But the Lord God does the opposite: he borrows in secret and repays before angels and archangels and the righteous. ### Scripture references - Prov 19:17: echo, medium confidence - Matt 6:4: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 26.17 (PG 65:167; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/26-17). ## Ephraim 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-27-1 - Source: PG 65:167 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: As a child Ephraim dreamed of a fruitful vine growing from his tongue to fill the world. ### Greek text Παιδίον ἦν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἐφραὶμ καὶ εἶδεν ὄναρ εἴτ' οὖν ὁπτασίαν, ὅτι ἀνῆλθεν ἄμπελος ἐν τῇ γλώσσῃ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ηὔξησε, καὶ ἐπλήρωσε πᾶσαν τὴν ὑπ᾿ οὐρανὸν, εὔκαρπος πάνυ· καὶ ἤρχοντο πάντα τὰ πετεινά τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, καὶ ἤσθιον ἐκ τοῦ καρποῦ τῆς ἀμπέλου· καὶ πρὸς ὅ ἤσθιον, ἐπλεόναζεν ὁ καρπὸς αὐτῆς. ### English translation (Claude) When abba Ephraim was a child, he saw a dream or a vision: that a vine grew up on his tongue, increased, and filled everything under heaven, very fruitful; and all the birds of the sky came and ate of the fruit of the vine; and the more they ate, the more its fruit increased. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 27.1 (PG 65:167; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1). ## Ephraim 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-27-2 - Source: PG 65:167 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A saint sees angels entrust a heavenly scroll to Ephraim, and knows his writings come from the Spirit. ### Greek text Ἄλλοτε πάλιν εἶδέ τις τῶν ἁγίων ἐν ὁράματι, ἀγγέλων τάγμα ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατερχόμενον κατὰ πρόσταξιν Θεοῦ, ἔχον ἐπὶ χεῖρας κεφαλίδα, τουτέστι τόμον γεγραμμένον ἔσωθεν καὶ ἔξωθεν· καὶ ἔλεγον πρὸς ἀλλήλους· Τίς ὀφείλει τοῦτο ἐγχειρισθῆναι; Καὶ οἱ μὲν ἔλεγον, Ὅσδε· οἱ δὲ ἔλεγον ἕτερον. Απεκρίθησαν δὲ καὶ εἶπον· Ἀληθῶς ἅγιοί εἰσι καὶ δίκαιοι πλὴν τοῦτο οὐδεὶς δύναται ἐγχειρισθῆναι, εἰ μὴ Ἐφραίμ. Καὶ ὁρᾷ ὁ γέρων ὅτι τῷ Ἐφραὶμ ἐπέδωκαν τὴν κεφαλίδα· καὶ ἀναστὰς πρωῖ, ἤκουσε τοῦ Ἐφραὶμ ὥσπερ πηγὴν βρύουσαν ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ καὶ συντάσσοντος, καὶ ἔγνω ὅτι ἐκ Πνεύματος ἁγίου ἐστὶ τὰ ἐκπορευόμενα διὰ χειλέων Ἐφραίμ. ### English translation (Claude) Another time one of the saints saw in a vision a company of angels coming down from heaven by God’s command, holding in their hands a scroll, that is, a book written inside and outside; and they said to one another, “Who should be entrusted with this?” And some said, “So-and-so”; others named another. Then they answered and said, “Truly these are holy and righteous; but no one can be entrusted with this except Ephraim.” And the old man sees that they gave the scroll to Ephraim; and getting up in the morning, he heard Ephraim composing, as if a spring were gushing from his mouth, and he knew that what came forth through Ephraim’s lips was from the Holy Spirit. ### Scripture references - Ezek 2:10: echo, medium confidence - Rev 5:1: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The scroll written inside and outside: Ezek 2:9–10; Rev 5:1. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 27.2 (PG 65:167; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-2). ## Ephraim 3; Eucharistus; Eulogius - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-27-3 - Source: PG 65:167–171 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Ephraim shames a prostitute; then a married couple living in continence and the hidden austerity of abba Joseph are described. ### Greek text "Αλλοτε πάλιν παριόντος τοῦ Ἐφραὶμ, ἐξ ὑποβολῆς τινος ἔρχεται μία ἑταιρὶς κολακεύειν αὐτὸν εἰς αἰσχρὰν μίξιν, εἰ δὲ μὴ, κἂν εἰς ἀγανάκτησιν κινῆσαι αὐτὸν, ὅτι οὐδέποτέ τις εἶδεν αὐτὸν ὀργιζόμενον Καὶ λέγει πρὸς αὐτήν· Ἀκολούθει μοι· πλησιάσας δὲ τόπῳ πολυοχλουμένῳ, εἶπεν αὐτῇ· Ἐν τῷ τόπῳ τούτῳ δεῦρο καθὼς ἠθέλησας. Εκείνη δὲ θεασαμένη τὸν ὄχλον, λέγει αὐτῷ· Πῶς δυνάμεθα τοῦτο ποιῆσαι, τοσούτου ὄχλου ἑστῶτος, καὶ οὐκ αἰσχυνόμεθα; Ὁ δὲ λέγει πρὸς αὐτήν· Εἰ ἀνθρώπους αἰσχυνόμεθα, πολλῷ μᾶλλον ὀφείλομεν αἰσχύνεσθαι τὸν Θεὸν, τὸν τὰ κρυπτὰ τοῦ σκότους ἐλέγχοντα. Ἡ δὲ ἐντραπεῖσα ἀπῆλθεν ἄπρακτος. Περὶ Εὐχαρίστου κοσμικοῦ. Δύο τῶν Πατέρων παρεκάλεσαν τὸν Θεὸν, ἵνα πληροφορήσῃ αὐτοὺς, εἰς ποῖον ἔφθασαν μέτρον. Καὶ ἦλθεν αὐτοῖς φωνὴ λέγουσα· Εἰς τήνδε τὴν κώμην τῆς Αἰγύπτου ἐστί τις κοσμικὸς Εὐχάριστος ὀνόματι, καὶ ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ καλεῖται Μαρία· οὔπω ἤλθετε ὑμεῖς εἰς τὰ μέτρα αὐτῶν. Καὶ ἀναστάντες οἱ δύο γέροντες, ἦλθον εἰς τὴν κώμην· καὶ ἐρωτήσαντες, εὗρον τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ λέγουσιν αὐτῇ· Ποῦ ἔστι ὁ ἀνήρ σου; Ἡ δὲ εἶπεν· Ποιμήν ἐστι, καὶ βόσκει τὰ πρόβατα. Καὶ εἰσήγαγεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ ἐ. Ὡς δὲ ὀψία ἐγένετο, ἦλθεν ὁ Εὐχάριστος μετὰ τῶν προβάτων· καὶ ἰδὼν τοὺς γέροντας, ἡτοίμασεν αὐτοῖς τράπεζαν, καὶ ἤνεγκεν ὕδωρ νίψαι τοὺς πόδας αὐτῶν. Καὶ λέγουσὶν αὐτῷ οἱ γέροντες· Οὐ μὴ γευσώμεθά τινος, ἐὰν μὴ ἀναγγείλῃς ἡμῖν τὴν ἐργασίαν σου. Ὁ δὲ Εὐχάριστος μετὰ ταπεινοφροσύνης εἶπεν· Ἐγὼ ποιμήν εἰμι, καὶ αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ γυνή μου. Οἱ δὲ γέροντες ἐπέμειναν παρακαλοῦντες αὐτὸν, καὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησε εἰπεῖν. εἶπον αὐτῷ· Ὁ Θεὸς ἔπεμψεν ἡμᾶς πρὸς σὲ. Ὡς δὲ ἤκουσε τὸν λόγον τοῦτον, ἐφοβήθη, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἰδοὺ τὰ πρόβατα ταῦτα ἔχομεν ἀπὸ τῶν γονέων ἡμῶν· καὶ εἴ τι δ᾽ ἂν εὐοδώσῃ ὁ Κύριος εἰσοδιάσαι ἐξ αὐτῶν, ποιοῦμεν εἰς τρία μέρη· μέρος ἓν τοῖς πτωχοῖς, καὶ μέρος ἓν εἰς τὴν φιλοξενίαν, καὶ τὸ τρίτον μερος εἰς τὴν χρείαν ἡμῶν. Αφ' οὗ δὲ ἔλαβον τὴν γυναῖκά μου, οὐκ ἐμιάνθην οὔτε ἐγὼ οὔτε αὐτὴ, ἀλλὰ παρθένος ἐστί· καὶ ἕκαστος ἡμῶν καθ' ἑαυτὸν καθεύδει· τὴν δὲ νύκτα φοροῦμεν σάκκους, καὶ τὴν ἡμέραν τὰ ἱμάτια ἡμῶν. Ἕως ἄρτι ἀνθρώπων οὐδεὶς ταῦτα ἔγνωκεν. Καὶ ἀκούσαντες ἐθαύμασαν, καὶ ἀνεχώρησαν δοξάζοντες τὸν Θεόν. Περὶ Εὐλογίου τοῦ πρεσβυτέρου. Εὐλόγιος τις μαθητής γενόμενος τοῦ μακαρίου Ἰωάννου τοῦ ἐπισκόπου πρεσβύτερος καὶ ἀσκητὴς μέγας, νηστεύων δύο δύο, πολλάκις δὲ καὶ τὴν ἑβδομάδα ἕλκων, ἄρτον μόνον ἐσθίων καὶ ἄλας, ἐδοξάζετο ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων. Παρέβαλε δὲ τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἰωσὴφ εἰς τὴν Πανεφώ, προσδοκῶν τι πλέον σκληραγωγίαν ἰδεῖν παρ᾿ αὐτῷ. Καὶ δεξάμενος αὐτὸν ὁ γέρων μετὰ χαρᾶς, εἴ τι δ' ἂν εἶχεν ἐποίησε παράκλησιν γενέσθαι. Καὶ λέγουσιν οἱ μαθηταὶ Εὐλογίου· Οὐκ ἐσθίει πρεσβύτερος πλὴν ἄρτου καὶ ἄλατος. Ὁ δὲ ἀββᾶς Ἰωσὴφ σιωπῶν ἔτρωγε. Καὶ ποιήσαντες ἡμέρας τρεῖς, οὐκ ἤκουσαν αὐτῶν ψαλλόντων ἢ εὐχομένων· κρυπτὴ γὰρ ἦν ἡ ἐργασία αὐτῶν. Καὶ ἐξῆλθον μὴ ὠφεληθέντες. Κατ' οἰκονομίαν δὲ γίνεται γνόφος, καὶ πλανηθέντες ὑπέστρεψαν πρὸς τὸν γέροντα. Καὶ πρὶν αὐτοὺς κροῦσαι, ἤκουσαν αὐτῶν ψαλλόντων· καὶ μείναντες ἐπὶ πολὺ, ὕστερον ἔκρουσαν. Οἱ δὲ σιωπήσαντες ἀπὸ ψαλμῳδίας, ἐδέξαντο αὐτοὺς χαίροντες. Καὶ διὰ τὸν καύσωνα, ἔβαλον οἱ μαθηταὶ Εὐλογίου εἰς τὸ βαυκάλιον ὕδωρ, καὶ ἔδωκαν αὐτῷ· ἦν δὲ μεμιγμένον τῆς θαλάσσης καὶ τοῦ ποταμοῦ· καὶ οὐκ ἠδυνήθη πιεῖν. Καὶ ἐν ἑαυτῷ γενόμενος, προσέπεσε τῷ γέροντι μαθεῖν θέλων τὴν διαγωγὴν αὐτοῦ, λέγων· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, τί ἐστι τοῦτο; ὅτι τὸ πρῶτον οὐκ ἐψάλλετε, ἀλλὰ νῦν μετὰ τὸ ἐξελθεῖν ἡμᾶς· καὶ τὸ βαυκάλιον δὲ νῦν λαβὼν, εὗρον τὸ ὕδωρ ἁλμυρόν. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ὁ ἀδελφὸς σαλός ἐστι, καὶ κατὰ πλάνην ἔμιξεν αὐτὸ θαλάσσιον. Ὁ δὲ Εὐλόγιος παρεκάλει τὸν γέροντα, θέλων μαθεῖν τὴν ἀλήθειαν. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἐκεῖνο τὸ μικρὸν ποτήριον τοῦ οἴνου, τῆς ἀγάπης ἦν· τοῦτο δὲ τὸ ὕδωρ, ὁ πίνουσιν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ διαπαντός. Καὶ ἐδίδαξεν αὐτὸν τὴν διάκρισιν τῶν λογισμῶν, καὶ ἔκοψεν ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ πάντα τὰ ἀνθρώπινα. Καὶ γέγονεν οἰκονομικός καὶ λοιπὸν ἥσθιε πάντα τὰ παρατιθέμενα, καὶ ἔμαθε καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ ἐργάζεσθαι, καὶ εἶπε τῷ γέροντι· Ὄντως ἐν ἀληθείᾳ ἐστὶν ἡ ἐργασία ὑμῶν. ### English translation (Claude) Another time, as Ephraim was passing by, a prostitute, at someone’s instigation, came to entice him into shameful intercourse, or failing that, at least to move him to anger, since no one had ever seen him angry. And he says to her, “Follow me.” And coming near a crowded place, he said to her, “Come here in this place, as you wished.” But she, seeing the crowd, says to him, “How can we do this with so great a crowd standing here, and not be ashamed?” He says to her, “If we are ashamed before men, how much more ought we to be ashamed before God, who exposes the hidden things of darkness?” And she, put to shame, went away having achieved nothing. [On Eucharistus the secular] Two of the Fathers asked God to assure them what measure they had reached. And a voice came to them, saying, “In such-and-such a village of Egypt there is a man of the world named Eucharistus, and his wife is called Mary; you have not yet reached their measure.” The two old men got up and came to the village; and inquiring, they found his house and his wife, and they say to her, “Where is your husband?” She said, “He is a shepherd and is pasturing the sheep.” And she brought them into his house. When evening came, Eucharistus came with the sheep; and seeing the old men, he prepared a table for them and brought water to wash their feet. And the old men say to him, “We will not taste anything unless you tell us your way of life.” Eucharistus said with humility, “I am a shepherd, and this is my wife.” The old men kept urging him, and he would not tell. They said to him, “God sent us to you.” When he heard this word, he was afraid, and said to them, “Look, we have these sheep from our parents; and whatever the Lord lets us gain from them, we divide into three parts: one part for the poor, one part for hospitality, and the third part for our own needs. Since I took my wife, neither I nor she has been defiled, but she is a virgin; and each of us sleeps apart; at night we wear sackcloth, and by day our ordinary clothes. Until now no one has known these things.” When they heard this, they marveled, and went away glorifying God. [On Eulogius the presbyter] A certain Eulogius, a disciple of the blessed bishop John, a presbyter and great ascetic, fasting two days at a time and often stretching it to the whole week, eating only bread and salt, was glorified by men. He visited abba Joseph at Panephysis, expecting to see some still greater austerity with him. The old man received him with joy and made whatever comfort he had available. And Eulogius’s disciples say, “The presbyter eats nothing but bread and salt.” But abba Joseph ate in silence. And after spending three days, they did not hear them singing psalms or praying; for their work was hidden. And they left without having been helped. By providence a fog came, and having lost their way they returned to the old man. And before they knocked, they heard them singing psalms; and after waiting a long time, they finally knocked. They stopped their psalmody and received them with joy. Because of the heat, Eulogius’s disciples put water in the flask and gave it to him; it was mixed from the sea and the river, and he could not drink it. Coming to himself, he fell at the old man’s feet, wanting to learn his way of life, saying, “Abba, what is this? At first you did not sing psalms, but now, after we left; and now when I took the flask I found the water salty.” The old man says to him, “The brother is simple, and by mistake he mixed sea water into it.” But Eulogius begged the old man, wanting to learn the truth. And the old man says to him, “That little cup of wine was for love’s sake; but this water is what the brothers always drink.” And he taught him the discernment of thoughts, and cut away from him everything merely human. And he became accommodating, and from then on ate everything set before him, and he too learned to work in secret; and he said to the old man, “Truly your work is in truth.” ### Scripture references - 1 Cor 4:5: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - The scan runs into this saying the sections headed “On Eucharistus the secular” and “On Eulogius the presbyter,” which are separate entries of the collection; they are translated here under their printed headings. Stray words from Migne’s notes are removed. The hidden things of darkness: 1 Cor 4:5. Eucharistus and Mary live together in continence; this is translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 27.3 (PG 65:167–171; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-3). ## Euprepius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-28-1 - Source: PG 65:171 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Euprepius urges faith that God’s power works in one’s own life. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Εὐπρέπιος· Ἔχων, φησὶν, ἐν ἑαυτῷ, εἶναι πιστὸν τὸν Θεὸν καὶ δυνατὸν, πίστευε εἰς αὐτὸν, καὶ μεθέξεις τῶν αὐτοῦ. Εἰ δὲ ὀλιγωρεῖς, οὐ πιστεύεις. Καὶ ὅτι πάντες πιστεύομεν δυνατὸν αὐτὸν εἶναι, καὶ πιστεύομεν ὅτι πάντα αὐτῷ ἐστι δυνατά. Ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐν τοῖς σοῖς πίστευε ἐν αὐτῷ πράγμασιν, ὅτι καὶ ἐν σοὶ ποιεῖ σημεῖα. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Euprepius said, “Holding within yourself that God is faithful and powerful, believe in him, and you will share in what is his. But if you are careless, you do not believe. And all of us believe that he is powerful, and we believe that all things are possible to him. But believe in him also in your own affairs, that he works wonders in you too.” ### Scripture references - Mark 9:23: echo, low confidence - Matt 19:26: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 28.1 (PG 65:171; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/28-1). ## Euprepius 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-28-2 - Source: PG 65:171 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Euprepius helps robbers plunder his cell and tries to give them the staff they left. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς συλούμενος συνεπῆρεν αὐτοῖς. Μετά δὲ τὸ ἀποβαστάξαι αὐτοὺς τὰ ἔνδον κείμενα, καταλειψάντων αὐτῶν τὴν ῥάβδον ἑαυτοῦ, ὡς ταύτην ἐθεάσατο ὁ ἀββᾶς Εὐπρέπιος, ἠχθέσθη· καὶ λαβὼν ἐπέτρεχε, βουλόμενος ἀποδοῦναι. Τῶν δὲ μὴ θελόντων δέξασθαι, ἀλλὰ δεδιότων μὴ ἄρα τι γέγονεν, περιτυχών τισι, ἠξίου ἀποδοθῆναι δι᾿ αὐτῶν ῥάβδον, τὴν αὐτὴν ὁδευόντων ὁδόν. ### English translation (Claude) The same, when he was being robbed, helped them carry things off. After they had carried away what was inside, they left his staff behind; when abba Euprepius saw it, he was distressed, and taking it he ran after them, wanting to give it back. But they did not want to accept it, fearing that something might have happened; so meeting some people traveling the same road, he asked them to give the staff back through them. ### Translation notes - The first sentence is compressed in the scan; translated by sense. A variant note is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 28.2 (PG 65:171; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/28-2). ## Euprepius 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-28-3 - Source: PG 65:171 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Losses should be accepted gladly as release from care. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Εὐπρέπιος, ὅτι τὰ σωματικὰ ὕλη εἰσίν. Ὁ ἀγαπῶν τὸν κόσμον ἀγαπᾷ προσκόμματα. Εἴπερ οὖν συμβῇ τί ποτε ἀπολέσθαι, τοῦτο μετὰ χαρᾶς καὶ ἐξομολογήσεως δέχεσθαι δεῖ, ὡς φροντίδων ἀπαλλαγέντας. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Euprepius said, “Bodily things are matter. One who loves the world loves stumbling blocks. So if we happen to lose something, we must accept it with joy and thanksgiving, as being freed from cares.” ### Scripture references - 1 John 2:15: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 28.3 (PG 65:171; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/28-3). ## Euprepius 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-28-4 - Source: PG 65:171 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Euprepius counsels utter simplicity and a heart of iron. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Εὐπρέπιον περὶ ζωῆς. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων· Χόρτον φάγε, χόρτον φόρεσον, εἰς χόρτον κοιμοῦ, τουτέστι, πάντων καταφρόνει, τὴν δὲ καρδίαν κέκτησο σιδηρᾶν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Euprepius about life. And the old man said, “Eat grass, wear grass, sleep on grass; that is, despise everything, and acquire a heart of iron.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 28.4 (PG 65:171; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/28-4). ## Euprepius 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-28-5 - Source: PG 65:171 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Humility, poverty, and not judging bring the fear of God. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν αὐτὸν γέροντα, λέγων· Πῶς ἔρχεται ὁ φόβος τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰς τὴν ψυχήν; Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων· Ἐὰν ἔχῃ ἄνθρωπος τὴν ταπείνωσιν, καὶ τὴν ἀκτημοσύνην, καὶ τὸ μὴ κρίνειν, ἔρχεται αὐτῷ ὁ φόβος τοῦ Θεοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked the same old man, saying, “How does the fear of God come into the soul?” And the old man said, “If a man has humility, poverty, and not judging, the fear of God comes to him.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 28.5 (PG 65:171; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/28-5). ## Euprepius 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-28-6 - Source: PG 65:171 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Euprepius commends fear, humility, scant food, and mourning. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς εἶπε· Φόβος και ταπείνωσις, καὶ ἔνδεια τροφῶν, καὶ πένθος διαμενέτω σοι. ### English translation (Claude) The same said, “Let fear, humility, lack of food, and mourning remain with you.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 28.6 (PG 65:171; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/28-6). ## Euprepius 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-28-7 - Source: PG 65:171 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Euprepius learns from an old man not to speak first when visiting. ### Greek text Παρέβαλεν ἐν ἀρχῇ αὐτοῦ ὁ ἀββᾶς Εὐπρέπιός τινι γέροντι, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἀββᾶ, εἰπέ μοι λόγον πῶς σωθῶ. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἐὰν θέλῃς σωθῆναι, ὅταν παραβάλῃς τινὶ, μὴ προλάβῃς λαλῆσαι πρὶν ἐξετάσει σε. Ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τῷ λόγῳ κατανυγεὶς ἔβαλε μετάνοιαν, λέγων· Ὄντως πολλὰ βιβλία ἀνέγνων, καὶ τοιαύτην παιδείαν οὐδέπω ἔγνων. Καὶ πολλὰ ὠφεληθεὶς ἐξῆλθεν.; ### English translation (Claude) At his beginning, abba Euprepius visited an old man and says to him, “Abba, tell me a word: how may I be saved?” He said to him, “If you want to be saved, when you visit someone, do not speak first before he questions you.” Pierced to the heart by the word, he made a prostration, saying, “Truly I have read many books, and I had never known such instruction.” And he went away greatly helped. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 28.7 (PG 65:171; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/28-7). ## Eladius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-29-1 - Source: PG 65:173 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Eladius never raised his eyes to the church roof in twenty years. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἐλαδίου ὅτι ἐποίησεν εἴκοσι ἔτη εἰς τὰ Κελλία, καὶ οὐκ ἦρέ ποτε τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ἄνω, ἰδεῖν τὴν στέγην τῆς ἐκκλησίας. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Eladius that he spent twenty years in the Cells and never raised his eyes to look at the roof of the church. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 29.1 (PG 65:173; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/29-1). ## Eladius 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-29-2 - Source: PG 65:173 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: For Easter Eladius made the extra effort of eating his bread and salt standing. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ αὐτοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἐλαδίου, ὅτι ἄρτον καὶ ἅλας ἤσθιεν. Ὅτε οὖν ἦλθε τὸ Πάσχα, ἔλεγεν, ὅτι Οἱ ἀδελφοὶ ἄρτον καὶ ἅλας ἐσθίουσιν· ἐγὼ δὲ ὤφειλον μικρὸν κόπον ποιῆσαι διὰ τὸ Πάσχα. Ἐπειδὴ τὰς ἄλλας ἡμέρας καθήμενος ἐσθίω· νῦν ὅτι Πάσχα ἐστὶ, ποιήσω τὸν κόπον, ἱστάμενος ἐσθίων. ### English translation (Claude) They said of the same abba Eladius that he ate bread and salt. So when Easter came, he said, “The brothers eat bread and salt; but I ought to make a little effort because of Easter. Since on the other days I eat sitting down, now that it is Easter I will make the effort and eat standing.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 29.2 (PG 65:173; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/29-2). ## Evagrius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-30-1 - Source: PG 65:173 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Evagrius teaches meditation on death, Hades, judgment, punishment, and the joys of the righteous. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Εὐάγριος Καθεζόμενος ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ, συνάγαγέ σου τὸν λογισμόν· μνήσθητι ἡμέρας θανάτου· ἴδε τότε τοῦ σώματος τὴν νέκρωσιν· ἐννόει τὴν συμφοράν· λαβέ τὸν πόνον· κατάγνωθι τῆς ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ ματαιότητος· ὅπως δυνηθῇς διαπαντὸς μένειν ἐν τῇ προθέσει τῆς ἡσυχίας, καὶ μὴ ἀσθενήσῃς. Μνήσθητι δὲ καὶ τῆς ἐν τῷ ᾅδῃ νῦν καταστάσεως· λογίζου τὸ πῶς εἰσιν ἐκεῖ αἱ ψυχαὶ, ἐν ποίᾳ δεινοτάτῃ σιωπῇ, ἐν ποίῳ πικροτάτῳ στεναγμῷ, καὶ πηλίκῳ φόβῳ καὶ ἀγῶνι καὶ προσδοκίᾳ· τὴν ἄπαυστον ὀδύνην, τὸ ψυχικὸν καὶ ἀπέραντον δάκρυον. Ἀλλὰ καὶ ἡμέρας ἀναστάσεως μνήσθητι, καὶ παραστάσεως τῆς πρὸς τὸν Θεόν· φαντάζου τὸ φρικῶδες καὶ φοβερὸν ἐκεῖνο κρίμα. Ἄγε εἰς μέσον τὰ ἀποκείμενα τοῖς ἁμαρτάνουσιν, αἰσχύνην τὴν κατενώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ ἀγγέλων καὶ ἀρχαγγέλων καὶ πάντων ἀνθρώπων, τουτέστι κολαστήρια, πῦρ αἰώνιον, σκώληκα τὸν ἀκοίμητον, τὸν τάρταρον, τὸ σκότος, τὸν τῶν ὀδόντων βρυγμὸν, τοὺς φόβους καὶ τὰς βασάνους. Ἄγε δὴ καὶ τὰ τοῖς δικαίοις ἀποκείμενα ἀγαθὰ, παῤῥησίαν τὴν μετὰ Θεοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ Χριστοῦ αὐτοῦ, ἀγγέλων καὶ ἀρχαγγέλων, καὶ παντὸς δήμου τῶν ἁγίων, βασιλείαν οὐρανῶν, καὶ τὰ ταύτης δωρήματα τὴν χαρὰν καὶ τὴν ταύτης ἀπόλαυσιν. Ἑκατέρων τούτων τὴν μνήμην ἄγε σεαυτῷ· καὶ ἐπὶ μὲν τῇ τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν κρίσει δάκρυσον, πένθησον, φοβούμενος μὴ καὶ σὺ αὐτὸς ἐν τούτοις γένῃ· ἐπὶ δὲ τοῖς ἀποκειμένοις τοῖς δικαίοις, χαῖρε καὶ εὐφραίνου. Καὶ τούτων μὲν σπούδασον ἐν ἀπολαύσει γενέσθαι, καὶ ἀλλοτριοῦσθαι ἐκείνων. Ὅρα μὴ ἐπιλάθῃ ποτὲ, κἂν ἔνδον τοῦ κελλίου σου τυγχάνῃς, κἂν ἔξω που, τῆς ἐκ τούτων μνήμης, ὅπως κἂν διὰ τούτων, τοὺς ῥυπαροὺς καὶ βλαβεροὺς διαφεύξῃ λογισμούς. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Evagrius said, “Sitting in your cell, gather your thought; remember the day of death; see then the death of the body; consider the calamity; take on the pain; condemn the vanity of the world, so that you may always be able to remain in the purpose of stillness and not grow weak. Remember also the present state of those in Hades; consider how the souls are there, in what most dreadful silence, in what most bitter groaning, in how great fear and struggle and expectation; the unceasing pain, the endless tears of the soul. But remember also the day of resurrection and of standing before God; picture that awesome and fearful judgment. Bring into view what is laid up for sinners: shame before the face of God and of angels and archangels and of all men, that is, punishments, eternal fire, the sleepless worm, Tartarus, the darkness, the gnashing of teeth, the terrors and the torments. Bring also the good things laid up for the righteous: freedom of speech with God the Father and his Christ, with angels and archangels and all the people of the saints; the kingdom of heaven and its gifts, its joy and its enjoyment. Bring the memory of both to yourself; and at the judgment of sinners weep and mourn, fearing lest you too be among them; but at what is laid up for the righteous, rejoice and be glad. And be eager to come to the enjoyment of these, and to be estranged from those. See that you never forget the memory of these things, whether you are inside your cell or somewhere outside, so that at least by means of them you may escape filthy and harmful thoughts.” ### Scripture references - Mark 9:48: allusion, medium confidence - Matt 8:12: allusion, medium confidence - Matt 25:41: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The sleepless worm and the eternal fire: Mark 9:48; Isa 66:24; gnashing of teeth: Matt 8:12. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 30.1 (PG 65:173; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/30-1). ## Evagrius 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-30-2 - Source: PG 65:173 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Cut ties with many to keep stillness. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν Κόπτε τῶν πολλῶν τὰς σχέσεις μή σου ὁ νοῦς περιστατικὸς γένηται, καὶ τὸν τῆς ἡσυχίας ταράξῃ τρόπον. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Cut off your ties with the many, lest your mind become overwhelmed and disturb the way of stillness.” ### Translation notes - The same saying is given under Doulas (25.2). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 30.2 (PG 65:173; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/30-2). ## Evagrius 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-30-3 - Source: PG 65:173 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Undistracted psalmody is greater even than undistracted prayer. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν μέγα μὲν τὸ ἀπερισπάστως προσεύχεσθαι· μείζον δὲ καὶ τὸ ψάλλειν ἀπερισπάστως. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “It is a great thing to pray without distraction; but greater still to sing psalms without distraction.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 30.3 (PG 65:173; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/30-3). ## Evagrius 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-30-4 - Source: PG 65:173 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Remembering death and judgment keeps the soul from sin. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Μέμνησο διαπαντὸς τῆς ἐξόδου σου, καὶ μὴ ἐπιλάθῃ κρίσεως αἰωνίου· καὶ οὐκ ἔσται πλημμέλεια ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ σου. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Always remember your departure, and do not forget the eternal judgment; and there will be no fault in your soul.” ### Extrabiblical texts - Sir 7:36 (Sirach): echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - A variant note is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 30.4 (PG 65:173; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/30-4). ## Evagrius 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-30-5 - Source: PG 65:175 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Without temptations no one would be saved. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἔπαρον τοὺς πειρασμούς, καὶ οὐδεὶς ὁ σωζόμενος ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Take away temptations, and no one is saved.” ### Translation notes - The same saying is given under Antony (1.5). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 30.5 (PG 65:175; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/30-5). ## Evagrius 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-30-6 - Source: PG 65:175 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A spare, regular diet joined to love leads to freedom from passion. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Ἔλεγέ τις τῶν Πατέρων· Ή ξηροτέρα καὶ τ' ἀνώμαλος δίαιτα, ἀγάπῃ συζευχθεῖσα, θᾶττον εἰσάγει τὸν μοναχὸν εἰς τὸν τῆς ἀπαθείας λιμένα. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “One of the Fathers used to say, ‘A drier and steady diet, joined to love, quickly brings the monk into the harbor of passionlessness.’” ### Translation notes - The scan reads καὶ τ’ ἀνώμαλος; translated as “steady” (καὶ μὴ ἀνώμαλος, as in Evagrius, Praktikos 91). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 30.6 (PG 65:175; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/30-6). ## Evagrius 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-30-7 - Source: PG 65:175 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Rebuked as a foreigner, Evagrius accepts it and resolves not to speak again. ### Greek text Ἐγένετό ποτε συνέδριον εἰς τὰ Κελλία περὶ πράγματος, καὶ ἐλάλησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Εὐάγριος. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ πρεσβύτερος· Οἴδαμεν, ἀββᾶ, ὅτι εἰ ἧς ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ σου, καὶ ἐπίσκοπος πολλάκις καὶ κεφαλὴ πολλῶν εἶχες εἶναι· νῦν δὲ ὡς ξένος καθέζῃ ὧδε. Ὁ δὲ κατανυγεὶς οὐκ ἐταράχθη, ἀλλὰ κινήσας τὴν κεφαλὴν, λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἀληθῶς ἐστι, Πάτερ Πλὴν ἅπαξ ἐλάλησα, ἐπὶ δὲ τῷ δευτέρῳ οὐ προσθήσω. ### English translation (Claude) Once a council was held at the Cells about some matter, and abba Evagrius spoke. The presbyter says to him, “We know, abba, that if you were in your own country, you would probably be a bishop and the head of many; but now you sit here as a foreigner.” Pierced to the heart, he was not troubled, but nodding his head he says to him, “It is true, father. But I have spoken once; a second time I will not add.” ### Scripture references - Job 40:5: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Job 40:5 in Evagrius’s own form. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 30.7 (PG 65:175; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/30-7). ## Eudaimon 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-31-1 - Source: PG 65:175 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Paphnutius would not let the beardless young Eudaimon stay at Scetis. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Εὐδαίμων περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Παφνουτίου τοῦ Πατρὸς τῆς Σκήτεως, ὅτι Κατῆλθον ἐκεῖ νεώτερος, καὶ οὐκ ἀφῆκε με μεῖναι ἐκεῖ, λέγων ἐπὶ ἐμοῦ, Ὄψιν γυναικὸς οὐκ ἀφιῶ μεῖναι εἰς Σκῆτιν, διὰ τὸν πόλεμον τοῦ ἐχθροῦ. Ἀρχὴ τοῦ στοιχείου Ζ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Eudaimon said of abba Paphnutius, the Father of Scetis, “I went down there when I was young, and he would not let me stay there, saying in my presence, ‘I do not allow the face of a woman to stay in Scetis, because of the enemy’s war.’” [Beginning of the letter Z.] ### Translation notes - Paphnutius compares the beardless youth to a woman as an occasion of temptation. The last words are a heading of the printed collection. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 31.1 (PG 65:175; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/31-1). ## Zeno 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-32-1 - Source: PG 65:175 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Zeno counsels avoiding famous places and men and never building one’s own cell. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ζήνων ὁ μαθητὴς τοῦ μακαρίου Σιλουανοῦ· Μὴ οἰκήσῃς ἐν τόπῳ ὀνομαστῷ, μηδὲ καθίσῃς μετὰ ἀνθρώπου ἔχοντος μέγα ὄνομα, μηδὲ βάλης θεμέλιον τοῦ οἰκοδομῆσαι ἑαυτῷ κελλίον πώποτε. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Zeno, the disciple of blessed Silvanus, said, “Do not live in a famous place, do not stay with a man who has a great name, and never lay a foundation to build yourself a cell.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 32.1 (PG 65:175; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/32-1). ## Zeno 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-32-2 - Source: PG 65:175 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Zeno learns to accept gifts and give them away, satisfying both givers and askers. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ζήνωνος, ὅτι ἀπ᾿ ἀρχῆς οὐκ ἤθελε λαβεῖν παρά τινός τί ποτε. Καὶ ἐντεῦθεν οἱ φέροντες ἀπήρχοντο λυπούμενοι, ὅτι οὐκ ἐλάμβανε. Καὶ ἄλλοι ἤρχοντο πρὸς αὐτὸν, λαβεῖν θέλοντες ὡς παρὰ μεγάλου γέροντος, καὶ οὐκ εἶχέ τι δοῦναι αὐτοῖς, καὶ αὐτοὶ ὑπῆγον λυπούμενοι. Λέγει ὁ γέρων· Τί ποιήσω, ὅτι καὶ οἱ φέροντες λυποῦνται, καὶ οἱ λαβεῖν θέλοντες; Τοῦτο μᾶλλον συμφέρει· εἴ τις φέρει, λαμβάνω, καὶ εἴ τις αἰτεῖ παρέχω αὐτῷ. Καὶ οὕτως ποιήσας ἀνεπαύετο, καὶ πάντας ἐπληροφόρει. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Zeno that from the beginning he would not accept anything from anyone. And so those who brought things went away grieved because he did not accept. And others came to him wanting to receive something as from a great old man, and he had nothing to give them, and they too went away grieved. The old man says, “What shall I do, since both those who bring and those who want to receive are grieved? This is better: if someone brings, I will accept, and if someone asks, I will give to him.” And doing so he was at rest, and satisfied everyone. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 32.2 (PG 65:175; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/32-2). ## Zeno 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-32-3 - Source: PG 65:175 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Zeno contrasts Egyptian monks who hide their virtues with Syrians and Greeks who hide their faults. ### Greek text Παρέβαλεν ἀδελφὸς Αἰγύπτιος τῷ ἀββᾷ Ζήνωνι εἰς Συρίαν, καὶ κατηγόρει τῶν λογισμῶν ἑαυτοῦ ἐπὶ τοῦ γέροντος. Ὁ δὲ θαυμάσας εἶπεν· Οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι, ἂς μὲν ἔχουσιν ἀρετὰς, κρύπτουσιν, ἃ δὲ οὐκ ἔχουσιν ἐλαττώματα, τούτων ἀεὶ κατηγοροῦσιν· οἱ δὲ Σύροι καὶ οἱ Ἑλληνικοὶ, ἃς μὲν οὐκ ἔχουσιν ἀρετὰς, λέγουσιν ἔχειν, ἃ δὲ ἔχουσιν ἐλαττώματα, κρύπτουσιν. ### English translation (Claude) An Egyptian brother visited abba Zeno in Syria and accused his own thoughts before the old man. He marveled and said, “The Egyptians hide the virtues they have, and always accuse themselves of faults they do not have; but the Syrians and Greeks claim to have virtues they do not have, and hide the faults they have.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 32.3 (PG 65:175; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/32-3). ## Zeno 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-32-4 - Source: PG 65:175–177 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Zeno explains Job 15:15; then he is guided home by an angelic boy, and tests himself in the heat rather than steal a cucumber. ### Greek text Ἦλθον πρὸς αὐτὸν ἀδελφοὶ, καὶ ἠρώτησαν αὐτὸν, λέγοντες Τί ἐστι τὸ ἐν τῷ Ἰὼβ γεγραμμένον Οὐρανὸς δὲ οὐ καθαρὸς ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ; Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ γέρων εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἀφῆκαν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτῶν, καὶ περὶ τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐρευνῶσιν. Αὕτη δέ ἐστιν ἡ ἑρμηνεία τοῦ λόγου· Ἐπειδὴ αὐτὸς μόνος ἐστὶ καθαρὸς, διὰ τοῦτο εἶπεν· Οὐρανὸς δὲ οὐ καθαρός ἐστιν. σ΄. Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ζήνωνος, ὅτι καθήμενος ἐν τῇ Σκήτει, ἐξῆλθε νυκτὸς ἐκ τῆς κέλλης αὐτοῦ ὡς ἐπὶ τὸ ἕλος· καὶ πλανηθεὶς ἐποίησε τρεῖς ἡμέρας καὶ τρεῖς νύκτας περιπατῶν· καὶ κοπιάσας, ἐκλιπὼν ἔπεσεν εἰς τὸ ἀποθανεῖν. Καὶ ἰδοὺ παιδάριον ἔστη. ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ, ἔχον ἄρτον καὶ βαυκάλιον ὕδατος· καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτῷ· Ἀνάστα, φάγε. Ὁ δὲ ἀναστὰς, προσηύξατο, νομίζων ὅτι φαντασία το ἐστίν. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Καλῶς ἐποίησας. Καὶ πάλιν ηὔξατο δεύτερον καὶ τρίτον. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Καλῶς ἐποίησας. Ἀναστὰς οὖν ὁ γέρων, ἔλαβε καὶ ἔφαγε. Καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα λέγει αὐτῷ· Ὅσον περιεπάτησας, τοσοῦτον εἶ μακρὰν ἀπὸ τῆς κέλλης σου· ἀλλ᾽ ἀνάστα, ἀκολούθει μοι. Καὶ εὐθέως εὑρέθη εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ. Εἶπεν οὖν αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Εἴσελθε, ποίησον ἡμῖν εὐχήν. Καὶ εἰσελθόντος τοῦ γέροντος, ἐκεῖνος ἀφανὴς ἐγένετο. ς'. Ἄλλοτε ὁ αὐτὸς ἀββᾶς Ζήνων περιπατῶν ἐν τῇ Παλαιστίνῃ, καὶ κοπιάσας, ἐγγὺς σικυηλάτου ἐκάθισε φαγεῖν, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ λογισμός· Ἆρον ἑαυτῷ ἓν σικύδιν, καὶ φάγε. Τί γάρ ἐστιν; Ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπε τῷ λογισμῷ· Οἱ κλέπται εἰς κόλασιν ὑπἁγουσι. Δοκίμασον οὖν ἑαυτὸν ἐντεῦθεν, εἰ δύνασαι τὴν κόλασιν ὑπενεγκεῖν. Καὶ ἀναστὰς ἔστη εἰς τὸ καῦμα πέντε ἡμέρας, καὶ τηγανίσας ἑαυτὸν, εἶπεν· Οὐ δύνασαι το τὴν κόλασιν ὑπενεγκεῖν. Καὶ λέγει τῷ λογισμῷ· Εἰ οὐ δύνασαι, μὴ κλέπτε καὶ τρῶγε. ### English translation (Claude) Brothers came to him and asked him, saying, “What is the meaning of what is written in Job, ‘Heaven is not pure before him’?” The old man answered, “The brothers have left their sins and are investigating the heavens. But this is the interpretation of the word: since he alone is pure, that is why he said, ‘Heaven is not pure.’” [5] They said of abba Zeno that while he was living at Scetis, he went out of his cell at night as if toward the marsh; and losing his way, he spent three days and three nights walking; and growing weary, he fell exhausted, about to die. And look, a boy stood before him holding bread and a flask of water, and said to him, “Get up, eat.” He got up and prayed, thinking it was an illusion. The boy said to him, “You did well.” And he prayed again a second and a third time. And he says to him, “You did well.” So the old man got up, took it, and ate. And after this he says to him, “As far as you have walked, so far are you from your cell; but get up, follow me.” And at once he found himself at his cell. So the old man said to him, “Come in and say a prayer for us.” And when the old man went in, the other vanished. [6] Another time the same abba Zeno, walking in Palestine and growing tired, sat down to eat near a cucumber field, and his thought says to him, “Take a cucumber for yourself and eat. What does it matter?” He answered his thought, “Thieves go to punishment. So test yourself from this, whether you can bear the punishment.” And he got up and stood in the heat for five days, and having roasted himself, he said, “You cannot bear the punishment.” And he says to his thought, “If you cannot, do not steal and eat.” ### Scripture references - Job 15:15: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Job 15:15. The scan runs Zeno 5 and 6 (numbered in the print) into this saying; marked [5] and [6]. Variant notes and a few stray letters are removed or passed over. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 32.4 (PG 65:175–177; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/32-4). ## Zeno 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-32-7 - Source: PG 65:177 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Zeno teaches that prayer for one’s enemies first makes all prayer heard. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ζήνων· Ὁ θέλων ταχὺ ἵνα εἰσακούσῃ ὁ Θεὸς τῆς εὐχῆς αὐτοῦ, ἡνίκα ἀναστῇ ἐκτείνει τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ πρὸς Θεὸν, πρὸ πάντων καὶ πρὸ τῆς ἰδίας ψυχῆς ὑπὲρ τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ ψυχῆς εὔξηται· καὶ διὰ τούτου κατορθώματος, εἴ τι ἂν παρακαλέσῃ τῷ Θεῷ, ὑπακούει αὐτῷ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Zeno said, “Whoever wants God to hear his prayer quickly, when he stands up and stretches out his hands to God, before everything, even before his own soul, let him pray from the heart for his enemies; and through this good deed, whatever he asks of God, God hears him.” ### Scripture references - Matt 5:44: echo, medium confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 32.7 (PG 65:177; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/32-7). ## Zeno 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-32-8 - Source: PG 65:177 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Zeno shows a famous faster that his fasting was fed by praise and teaches him to fast in secret. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον ὅτι ἦν τις ἐν κώμῃ, καὶ πολλὰ ἐνήστευεν, ὥστε καλεῖσθαι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ὁ Νηστευτής. Ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ζήνων περὶ αὐτοῦ, μετεστείλατο αὐτόν. Ὁ δὲ ἀπῆλθε μετὰ χαρᾶς. Καὶ εὐξάμενοι ἐκάθισαν. "Ηρξατο οὖν ὁ γέρων ἐργάζεσθαι σιωπῶν. Μὴ εὑρίσκων δὲ λαλῆσαι μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ὁ Νηστευτὴς ἤρξατο ὀχλεῖσθαι ὑπὸ τῆς ἀκηδίας. Καὶ λέγει τῷ γέροντι· Εὖξαι ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ, ἀββᾶ, ὅτι ἀπελθεῖν θέλω. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Διατί; Ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· ὅτι ἡ καρδία μου ὡς καιομένη ἐστὶ, καὶ οὐκ οἶδα τί ἔχει. Ὅτε γὰρ ἤμην εἰς τὴν κώμην, ἕως ὀψὲ ἐνήστευον, καὶ οὐδέποτε οὕτως μοι ἐγένετο. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Εἰς τὴν κώμην, ἐκ τῶν ὠτίων σου ἐτρέφου· ἀλλ᾽ ἄπελθε ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν, καὶ ἔσθιε τὴν ἐννάτην· καὶ εἴ τι ποιεῖς, ἐν κρυπτῷ ποίει. ὡς ἤρξατο ποιεῖν, μετὰ θλίψεως ἔμενε τὴν ἐννάτην. Καὶ ἔλεγον οἱ γνωρίζοντες αὐτὸν, ὅτι Ὁ Νηστευτής ἐδαιμονίσθη. Ἐλθὼν δὲ ἀπήγγειλε τῷ γέροντι πάντα. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Αὕτη ἡ ὁδὸς κατὰ Θεόν ἐστιν. ### English translation (Claude) They said that there was a man in a village who fasted a great deal, so that he was called “the Faster.” Abba Zeno heard about him and sent for him. He came with joy. And after praying they sat down. The old man began to work in silence. Finding no chance to talk with him, the Faster began to be troubled by listlessness. And he says to the old man, “Pray for me, abba, because I want to leave.” The old man says to him, “Why?” He answered, “Because my heart is as if burning, and I do not know what is wrong with it. For when I was in the village, I fasted until evening, and this never happened to me.” The old man says to him, “In the village you were fed through your ears; but go now, and from now on eat at the ninth hour; and whatever you do, do it in secret.” When he began to do so, he waited for the ninth hour with difficulty. And those who knew him said, “The Faster has become possessed.” He came and told the old man everything. And he said to him, “This is the way according to God.” ### Scripture references - Matt 6:18: echo, medium confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 32.8 (PG 65:177; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/32-8). ## Zacharias 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-33-1 - Source: PG 65:177–179 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Zacharias tells Macarius that a monk is one who forces himself in everything. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος τῷ ἀββᾷ Ζαχαρίᾳ· Εἰπέ μοι τὸ ἔργον τοῦ μοναχοῦ. Λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἐμὲ ἐρωτᾷς, Πάτερ; Καὶ λέγει ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος· Πληροφοροῦμαι εἰς σὲ, τέκνον Ζαχαρία. Ἔστι γὰρ ὁ νύσσων με τοῦ ἐρωτῆσαί σε. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ζαχαρίας· Τὸ κατ΄ ἐμὲ, Πάτερ, τὸ ἑαυτὸν βιάζεσθαι εἰς πάντα, οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ μοναχός. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Macarius said to abba Zacharias, “Tell me the work of the monk.” He says to him, “Are you asking me, father?” And abba Macarius says, “I am convinced about you, my child Zacharias. For there is one who prompts me to ask you.” Zacharias says to him, “As far as I am concerned, father, to force oneself in everything: that is the monk.” ### Scripture references - Matt 11:12: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 33.1 (PG 65:177–179; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/33-1). ## Zacharias 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-33-2 - Source: PG 65:179 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Moses sees the Spirit of God resting on Zacharias at prayer. ### Greek text Ἦλθέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Μωσῆς ἀντλῆσαι ὕδωρ, καὶ εὖρε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ζαχαρίαν εὐχόμενον ἐπὶ τοῦ λάκκου, καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα τοῦ Θεοῦ καθήμενον ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Moses came to draw water, and he found abba Zacharias praying at the cistern, and the Spirit of God resting upon him. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 33.2 (PG 65:179; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/33-2). ## Zacharias 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-33-3 - Source: PG 65:179 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Zacharias tramples his hood to show that a monk must be crushed in humility. ### Greek text Εἶπέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Μωσῆς τῷ ἀδελφῷ Ζαχαρίᾳ· Εἰπέ μοι τί ποιήσω; Ακούσας δὲ ἔρριψεν ἑαυτὸν χαμαὶ εἰς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ, λέγων· Σύ με ἐρωτᾷς, Πάτερ; Λέγει αὐτῷ γέρων· Πίστευσόν μοι, τέκνον μου Ζαχαρία· εἶδον τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον κατελθὸν ἐπὶ σὲ, καὶ ἐκ τούτου ἀναγκάζομαι ἐρωτῆσαί σε. Τότε λαβὼν ὁ Ζαχαρίας τὸ κουκούλιον αὐτοῦ ἐκ τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ, ἔθηκεν ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας, καὶ καταπατήσας αὐτὸ εἶπεν· Ἐὰν μὴ συντριβῇ οὕτως ἄνθρωπος, οὐ δύναται εἶναι μοναχός. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Moses said to brother Zacharias, “Tell me what I should do.” Hearing this, he threw himself on the ground at his feet, saying, “You are asking me, father?” The old man says to him, “Believe me, my child Zacharias, I saw the Holy Spirit come down upon you, and because of this I am compelled to ask you.” Then Zacharias took his hood from his head, put it under his feet, and trampling on it said, “Unless a man is crushed like this, he cannot be a monk.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 33.3 (PG 65:179; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/33-3). ## Zacharias 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-33-4 - Source: PG 65:179 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Beaten by his father for a vision, Zacharias learns from another elder that it was from God but that he must still obey. ### Greek text Καθημένου ποτὲ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ζαχαρίου εἰς Σκῆτιν, ἦλθε θεωρία εἰς αὐτόν· καὶ ἀναστὰς ἀνήγγειλε τῷ ἀββᾷ αὐτοῦ Καρίωνι. Ὁ δὲ γέρων, πρακτικὸς ὢν, οὐχ ὑπῆρχεν ἀκριβὴς περὶ ταῦτα. Καὶ ἀναστὰς ἔδειρεν αὐτὸν, λέγων, ὅτι ἀπὸ δαιμόνων ἐστί. Παρέμεινε δὲ ὁ λογισμός. Καὶ ἀναστὰς ἀπῆλθε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, νυκτὸς, καὶ ἀνήγγειλεν αὐτῷ τὸ πρᾶγμα, καὶ πῶς καίεται τὰ ἐντὸς αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ γέρων –ὅτι ἀπὸ Θεοῦ ἐστι, λέγει αὐτῷ· Ὕπαγε πρὸς τὸν δεῖνα τὸν γέροντα, καὶ εἴ τι δ᾽ ἄν σοι εἴπῃ, ποίησον. Καὶ ἀπελθὼν πρὸς τὸν γέροντα, πρὶν ἐξετάσαι αὐτόν τι, προλαβὼν ὁ γέρων εἶπεν αὐτῷ πάντα, καὶ ὅτι ἡ θεωρία ἀπὸ Θεοῦ ἐστιν. Ἀλλ᾽ ὕπαγε, ὑποτάγηθι τῷ Πατρί σου. ### English translation (Claude) Once when abba Zacharias was living at Scetis, a vision came to him; and he got up and told his abba Carion. The old man, being a man of practice, was not exact about these things. And he got up and beat him, saying that it was from the demons. But the thought remained. And he got up and went to abba Poemen at night and told him the matter, and how his inner parts were burning. And the old man, seeing that it was from God, says to him, “Go to such-and-such an old man, and whatever he tells you, do it.” And going to the old man, before he could question him, the old man spoke first and told him everything, and that the vision was from God. “But go, submit to your father.” ### Translation notes - Variant notes and a variant form of saying 2 (Moses sees the Spirit like a dove on Zacharias) printed in the notes are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 33.4 (PG 65:179; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/33-4). ## Zacharias 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-33-5 - Source: PG 65:179 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Dying, Zacharias keeps silent about what he sees, and Isidore sees heaven opened to him. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι ἡρώτησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μωϋσῆς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ζαχαρίαν μέλλοντα τελευτᾶν Τί ὁρᾷς; καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Οὐ βέλτιον τὸ σιωπᾶν, Πάτερ; καὶ εἶπε· Ναὶ, τέκνον, σιώπα. Καὶ τῇ ὥρᾳ τοῦ θανάτου αὐτοῦ, καθεζόμενος ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰσίδωρος, ἀναβλέψας εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἶπεν· Εὐφραίνου, τέκνον μου Ζαχαρία, ὅτι ἀνεῴχθησάν σοι αἱ πύλαι τῆς τῶν οὐρανῶν βασιλείας. Ἀρχὴ τοῦ Ἡ στοιχείου. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said that abba Moses asked abba Zacharias when he was about to die, “What do you see?” And he says to him, “Is it not better to keep silent, father?” And he said, “Yes, child, keep silent.” And at the hour of his death, abba Isidore, who was sitting there, looked up to heaven and said, “Rejoice, my child Zacharias, for the gates of the kingdom of heaven have been opened to you.” [Beginning of the letter Ē.] ### Translation notes - The last words are a heading of the printed collection. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 33.5 (PG 65:179; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/33-5). ## Isaiah 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-34-1 - Source: PG 65:179–181 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Insult patiently borne is the best nourishment for a beginner. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἠσαΐας, ὅτι οὐδὲν οὕτως λυσιτελεῖ τῷ ἀρχαρίῳ ὡς ἡ ὕβρις. "Ωσπερ γὰρ δένδρον καθ᾽ ἑκάστην ποτιζόμενον, οὕτως ἀρχάριος ὑβριζόμενος καὶ ὑπομένων. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Isaiah said, “Nothing profits a beginner so much as insult. For like a tree watered every day, so is a beginner who is insulted and endures.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 34.1 (PG 65:179–181; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/34-1). ## Isaiah 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-34-2 - Source: PG 65:181 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isaiah likens beginners in obedience to purple dye and tender branches. ### Greek text Ἔλεγε πάλιν πρὸς τοὺς καλῶς ἀρχομένους καὶ ὑποτασσομένους Πατράσιν ἁγίοις, ὅτι Ἡ πρώτη βαφὴ οὐκ ἀποβάλλει, ὡς ἐπὶ πορφύρας. Και· ὅτι Ὥσπερ οἱ κλάδοι οἱ ἁπαλοὶ εὐχερῶς μεταστρέφονται καὶ κάμπτονται, οὕτως καὶ οἱ ἀρχάριοι ὄντες ἐν ὑποταγῇ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said to those who begin well and submit to holy Fathers, “The first dye does not come out, as with purple.” And: “As tender branches are easily turned and bent, so too are beginners who live in obedience.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 34.2 (PG 65:181; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/34-2). ## Isaiah 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-34-3 - Source: PG 65:181 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A beginner who keeps changing monasteries is like a haltered beast. ### Greek text Ἔλεγε πάλιν, ὅτι ἀρχάριος μεταβαίνων ἀπὸ μοναστηρίου εἰς μοναστήριον, ἔοικε ζώῳ ὑπὸ φορβαίας ἐνταῦθα κἀκεῖσε ἐλαυνομένῳ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “A beginner who moves from monastery to monastery is like an animal driven here and there by its halter.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 34.3 (PG 65:181; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/34-3). ## Isaiah 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-34-4 - Source: PG 65:181 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The presbyter of Pelusium rebukes chattering brothers at a love-feast by pointing to one whose prayer rises like fire. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι ὁ πρεσβύτερος τοῦ Πηλουσίου, γενομένης ἀγάπης, καὶ τῶν ἀδελφῶν ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ ἐσθιόντων, καὶ συλλαλούντων ἀλλήλοις, ἐπιτιμήσας αὐτοῖς εἶπε· Σιωπᾶτε, ἀδελφοί· εἶδον ἐγὼ ἀδελφὸν ἐσθίοντα μεθ' ὑμῶν, καὶ πίνοντα ποτήρια ὅσα ὑμεῖς καὶ ἡ εὐχὴ αὐτοῦ ἀναβαίνει ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ ὡς πῦρ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said that the presbyter of Pelusium, when there was a love-feast and the brothers were eating in the church and talking with one another, rebuked them and said, “Be silent, brothers. I have seen a brother eating with you and drinking as many cups as you, and his prayer goes up before God like fire.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 34.4 (PG 65:181; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/34-4). ## Isaiah 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-34-5 - Source: PG 65:181 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isaiah acts out a parable: no reaping, no wages from God. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἠσαΐου, ὅτι ποτὲ ἔλαβε θαλλίον, καὶ ἀπῆλθεν εἰς τὴν ἄλωνα, καὶ λέγει τῷ γεούχῳ· Δός μοι σἴτον. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Καὶ σὺ ἐθέρισας, ἀββᾶ; Λέγει· Οὐχί. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γεοῦχος· Πῶς οὖν θέλεις σἴτον λαβεῖν, μὴ θερίσας; Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Οὐκοῦν ἐὰν μὴ τις θερίσῃ, οὐ λαμβάνει μισθόν; Λέγει ὁ γεοῦχος· Οὐχί. Καὶ οὕτως ἀνεχώρησεν ὁ γέρων. Οἱ δὲ ἀδελφοὶ, ἰδόντες τί ἐποίησεν, ἔβαλον αὐτῷ μετάνοιαν, παρακαλοῦντες μαθεῖν τί τοῦτο ἐποίησε. Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Ὑπόδειγμα αὐτὸ ἐποίησα, ὅτι ἐὰν μὴ τις ἐργάσηται, οὐ λαμβάνει μισθὸν παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Isaiah that once he took a branch and went to the threshing floor and says to the landowner, “Give me wheat.” And he says to him, “Did you reap too, abba?” He says, “No.” And the landowner says to him, “Then how do you want to receive wheat without having reaped?” And the old man says to him, “So if someone does not reap, he does not receive wages?” The landowner says, “No.” And so the old man went away. The brothers, seeing what he had done, made a prostration to him, begging to learn why he had done this. The old man says to them, “I did it as an example: if someone does not work, he does not receive wages from God.” ### Scripture references - 2 Thess 3:10: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 34.5 (PG 65:181; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/34-5). ## Isaiah 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-34-6 - Source: PG 65:181 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isaiah serves barely boiled lentils, saying that seeing the fire at all is comfort enough. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἀββᾶς Ἠσαΐας ἐκάλεσέ τινα τῶν ἀδελφῶν, καὶ ἔνιψεν αὐτοῦ τοὺς πόδας, καὶ ἔβαλε δράκα φακοῦ εἰς χύτραν, καὶ ὡς ἔβρασε, κατήνεγκεν αὐτήν. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφός· Οὔπω ἐψήθη, ἀββᾶ. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Οὐκ ἀρκεῖ σοι ὅτι ὅλως εἶδες λαμπρόν; καὶ αὕτη μεγάλη παράκλησις. ### English translation (Claude) The same abba Isaiah invited one of the brothers, washed his feet, put a handful of lentils into a pot, and as soon as it boiled, took it off. And the brother says to him, “It is not cooked yet, abba.” And he says to him, “Is it not enough for you that you have seen the fire at all? That too is great comfort.” ### Translation notes - λαμπρόν is taken as the fire (“flame”). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 34.6 (PG 65:181; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/34-6). ## Isaiah 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-34-7 - Source: PG 65:181 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: God lets a rebellious soul suffer so that it will seek him. ### Greek text Ἔλεγε πάλιν, ὅτι Ἐὰν θέλῃ ὁ Θεὸς ψυχὴν ἐλεῆσαι, αὐτὴ δὲ ἀφηνιάζει καὶ οὐκ ἀνέχεται, ἀλλὰ τὸ θέλημα αὐτῆς ποιεῖ, συγχωρεῖ αὐτὴν παθεῖν ἅπερ οὐ θέλει, ἵνα οὕτως αὐτὸν ἐπιζητήσῃ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “If God wants to have mercy on a soul, and it rebels and will not bear it, but does its own will, he allows it to suffer what it does not want, so that in this way it may seek him.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 34.7 (PG 65:181; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/34-7). ## Isaiah 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-34-8 - Source: PG 65:181 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Even a nod can wound a brother when one seeks revenge. ### Greek text Ἔλεγε πάλιν, ὅτι Ἡνίκα τις βούλεται κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ ἀποδοῦναι, δύναται καὶ διὰ νεύματος μόνου βλάψαι τὴν συνείδησιν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “When someone wants to repay evil for evil, he can injure his brother’s conscience even by a mere nod.” ### Scripture references - Rom 12:17: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 34.8 (PG 65:181; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/34-8). ## Isaiah 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-34-9 - Source: PG 65:181–183 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Avarice is distrust of God’s care and promises and the love of enlarging one’s holdings. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἀββᾶς Ἠσαΐας ἡρωτήθη, τί ἐστι φιλαργυρία, καὶ ἀπεκρίθη· Τὸ μὴ πιστεῦσαι τῷ Θεῷ, ὅτι ποιεῖταί σου φροντίδα, καὶ τὸ ἀπελπίσαι τῶν ἐπαγγελιῶν τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ φιλοπλατύνεσθαι. ### English translation (Claude) The same abba Isaiah was asked what avarice is, and he answered, “Not to believe God, that he takes care of you; to despair of God’s promises; and to love to expand.” ### Scripture references - 1 Pet 5:7: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Variant notes and a stray line (on a tree watered daily) merged into the Greek are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 34.9 (PG 65:181–183; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/34-9). ## Isaiah 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-34-10 - Source: PG 65:183 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Slander comes from ignorance of God’s glory and envy of one’s neighbor. ### Greek text Ἠρωτήθη πάλιν, τί ἐστι καταλαλιά, καὶ ἀπεκρίθη· Τὸ μὴ γνῶναι δὲ τὴν δόξαν τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ Φθόνος πρὸς τὸν πλησίον. ### English translation (Claude) He was asked again what slander is, and he answered, “Not to know the glory of God, and envy toward one’s neighbor.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 34.10 (PG 65:183; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/34-10). ## Isaiah 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-34-11 - Source: PG 65:183 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Anger is strife, lying, and ignorance. ### Greek text Ἠρωτήθη πάλιν, τί ἐστιν ὀργὴ, καὶ ἀπεκρίθη· Ἔρις καὶ ψεῦδος, καὶ ἀγνωσία. ### English translation (Claude) He was asked again what anger is, and he answered, “Strife, lying, and ignorance.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 34.11 (PG 65:183; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/34-11). ## Elijah 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-35-1 - Source: PG 65:183 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Elijah fears death, meeting God, and God’s sentence. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἠλίας· Ἐγὼ τρία πράγματα φοβοῦμαι· ὅταν μέλλῃ ἡ ψυχή μου ἐξελθεῖν ἀπὸ τοῦ σώματος, καὶ ὅταν μέλλω τῷ Θεῷ ἀπαντῆσαι, καὶ ὅταν μέλλῃ ἡ ἀπόφασις ἐξελθεῖν κατ᾿ ἐμοῦ ### English translation (Claude) Abba Elijah said, “I fear three things: when my soul is about to leave the body, when I am about to meet God, and when the sentence is about to go out against me.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 35.1 (PG 65:183; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/35-1). ## Elijah 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-35-2 - Source: PG 65:183 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Elijah says Agathon is good for his generation, but the ancients could stop the sun like Joshua. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον οἱ γέροντες τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἠλίᾳ εἰς Αἴγυπτον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀγάθωνος, ὅτι Καλὸς ἀβᾶς ἐστιν. Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Κατὰ τὴν γενεὰν αὐτοῦ καλός ἐστι. Καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Κατὰ δὲ τοὺς ἀρχαίους τί; Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς λέγει· Εἶπον ὑμῖν, ὅτι κατὰ τὴν γενεὰν αὐτοῦ καλός ἐστι· κατὰ δὲ τοὺς ἀρχαίους, ἑώρακα ἄνθρωπον ἐν Σκήτει, ὅτι ἠδύνατο τὸν ἥλιον στῆσαι ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, καθάπερ Ἰησους ὁ τοῦ Ναυΐ Καὶ τοῦτο ἀκούσαντες, έθαμβήθησαν, καὶ ἐδόξασαν τὸν Θεόν ### English translation (Claude) The old men in Egypt said to abba Elijah about abba Agathon, “He is a good abba.” And the old man says to them, “For his generation he is good.” And they say to him, “And compared with the ancients?” And he answered, “I told you that for his generation he is good; but as for the ancients, I have seen a man at Scetis who could make the sun stand still in the sky, like Joshua the son of Nun.” Hearing this, they were astonished and glorified God. ### Scripture references - Josh 10:13: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Joshua stopping the sun: Josh 10:12–13. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 35.2 (PG 65:183; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/35-2). ## Elijah 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-35-3 - Source: PG 65:183 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Repentance disarms sin, and pride empties love. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἠλίας ὁ τῆς διακονίας Τί ἰσχύει ἁμαρτία, ὅπου ἐστὶ μετάνοια; καὶ τί ὠφελεῖ ἀγάπη, ἔνθα ἐστὶν ὑπερηφανία; ### English translation (Claude) Abba Elijah of the diaconate said, “What power has sin where there is repentance? And what profit is love where there is pride?” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 35.3 (PG 65:183; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/35-3). ## Elijah 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-35-4 - Source: PG 65:183 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Elijah exposes a demonic illusion of a brother carrying wine, warning that thoughts too are demonic suggestions. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἠλίας, ὅτι Εἶδον ἐγώ τινα λαβόντα κολοκύντιον οἶνου εἰς τὴν μάλην αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἵνα αἰσχύνω τοὺς δαίμονας ὅτι φαντασία ἦν, εἶπον τῷ ἀδελφῷ· Ποίησον ἀγάπην, καὶ ἄρόν μου τοῦτο· καὶ ἄρας τὸ πάλλιον αὐτοῦ, εὑρέθη μηδὲν ἔχων. Τοῦτο δὲ εἶπον, ὅτι κἂν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ἴδητέ τι, ἢ ἀκούσητε, μὴ καταδέξησθε. Πόσῳ μᾶλλον τηρεῖτε τοὺς διαλογισμοὺς καὶ τὰς ἐνθυμήσεις καὶ τὰς ἐννοίας, εἰδότες ὅτι αὐτοὶ ἐμβάλλουσιν αὐτὰ, ἵνα μιάνωσι τὴν ψυχὴν λογίζεσθαι τὰ μὴ συμφέροντα, καὶ ἵνα ἀπασχολήσωσι τὸν νοῦν ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτοῦ, καὶ τοῦ Θεοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Elijah said, “I saw someone who had taken a gourd of wine under his arm; and to put the demons to shame, because it was an illusion, I said to the brother, ‘Do me a kindness and take this off for me’; and when he lifted his cloak, he was found to have nothing. I said this so that even if you see or hear something with your eyes, you do not accept it. How much more should you watch your reasonings and reflections and thoughts, knowing that they put them in, in order to defile the soul by thinking what is not profitable, and to distract the mind from its sins and from God.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 35.4 (PG 65:183; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/35-4). ## Elijah 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-35-5 - Source: PG 65:183 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The mind is fixed on sins, on Jesus, or on people. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Οἱ ἄνθρωποι τὸν νοῦν ἔχουσιν, ἢ εἰς τὰς ἁμαρτίας, ἢ πρὸς τὸν Ἰησοῦν, ἢ πρὸς τοὺς ἀνθρώπους. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “People have their minds either on their sins, or on Jesus, or on men.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 35.5 (PG 65:183; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/35-5). ## Elijah 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-35-6 - Source: PG 65:183 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Psalmody without the mind is vain; affliction loved turns to joy. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἐὰν μὴ ὁ νοῦς ψάλλῃ μετὰ τοῦ σώματος, εἰς μάτην ὁ κόπος. Ἐὰν γάρ τις ἀγαπᾷ τὴν θλίψιν, ὕστερον γίνεται αὐτῷ εἰς χαρὰν καὶ ἀνάπαυσιν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “If the mind does not sing psalms with the body, the labor is in vain. For if someone loves affliction, afterward it turns for him into joy and rest.” ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 35.6 (PG 65:183; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/35-6). ## Elijah 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-35-7 - Source: PG 65:183–185 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A hermit attacked by demons calls on Jesus and is told that God is found by labor; another saying laments the loss of old monastic virtues. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Τὶς γέρων ἔμεινεν εἰς ἱερόν· καὶ ἦλθον οἱ δαίμονες λέγοντες αὐτῷ· Ἄπελθε ἐν τοῦ τόπου ἡμῶν. Καὶ ὁ γέρων ἔφη· Ὑμεῖς οὐκ ἔχετε τόπον. Καὶ ἤρξαντο σκορπίζειν αὐτοῦ τὰ βαΐα καθ' ἅπαξ. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἐπέμενεν αὐτὰ συλλέγων. Ὕστερον ὁ δαίμων κρατήσας αὐτοῦ τὴν χεῖρα, ἔσυρεν αὐτὸν ἔξω. Ὡς δὲ ἔφθασε τὴν θύραν ὁ γέρων, τῇ ἄλλῃ χειρὶ κατέσχε τὴν θύραν, κράζων· Ἰησοῦ, βοήθει μοι. Καὶ εὐθὺς ὁ δαίμων ἔφυγε. Καὶ ὁ γέρων ἤρξατο κλαίειν. Ὁ δὲ Κύριος εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Τί κλαίεις; καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ὅτι τολμῶσι κρατῆσαι τὸν ἄνθρωπον, καὶ οὕτως ποιῆσαι. Εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ· Σὺ ἡμέλησας. Ὅτε γὰρ ἐζήτησάς με, εἶδες πῶς εὑρέθην σοι. Ταῦτα λέγω, ὅτι κόπου πολλοῦ χρεία, καὶ εἰ μὴ κόπος γένηται, οὐ δύναταί τις ἔχειν τὸν Θεὸν αὐτοῦ Αὐτὸς γὰρ δι᾽ ἡμᾶς ἐσταυρώθη. Ἀδελφὸς παρέβαλε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἠλίᾳ τῷ ἡσυχαστῇ Ζάββα καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἀββᾶ, εἶπόν μοι ῥῆμα. Ὁ δὲ γέρων λέγει τῷ ἀδελφῷ, ὅτι Ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν, ἡγαπῶντο αἱ τρεῖς ἀρεταὶ αὖται, ἡ ἀκτημοσύνη, καὶ ἡ πραότης, καὶ ἡ ἐγκράτεια· νῦν δὲ κρατεῖ εἰς τοὺς μοναχοὺς ἡ πλεονεξία, καὶ κράτησον. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “An old man was living in a temple; and the demons came and said to him, ‘Get out of our place.’ And the old man said, ‘You have no place.’ And they began to scatter his palm leaves one by one; but the old man kept gathering them up. Finally the demon seized his hand and dragged him outside. When the old man reached the door, he grabbed the door with his other hand, crying, ‘Jesus, help me!’ And at once the demon fled. And the old man began to weep. And the Lord said to him, ‘Why are you weeping?’ And the old man says, ‘Because they dare to seize a man and treat him like this.’ He said to him, ‘You were careless. For when you sought me, you saw how I was found by you.’ I say this because much labor is needed, and unless there is labor, no one can have his God; for he was crucified for us.” [8] A brother visited abba Elijah the solitary at Zabba and says to him, “Abba, tell me a word.” The old man says to the brother, “In the days of our fathers these three virtues were loved: poverty, meekness, and self-control; but now greed holds sway among the monks, … and hold fast.” ### Translation notes - Variant notes inside the sentence are removed. The scan runs a further saying of Elijah (at Zabba) into this one; it is marked [8]. Its end is lost in the scan (“…”). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 35.7 (PG 65:183–185; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/35-7). ## Heracleius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/27-1/#p-36-1 - Source: PG 65:185 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A disciple who disobeyed his elder’s simple rule in his new cell is frightened by a demon and returns. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς πολεμηθεὶς, ἀπήγγειλε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἡρακλείῳ. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ἐκεῖνος στηρίζων αὐτὸν, ὅτι Τὶς γέρων ἔσχε μαθητὴν ὑπήκοον πάνυ ἐπὶ πολλὰ ἔτη. Μιᾷ οὖν πολεμηθεὶς ἔβαλε μετάνοιαν τῷ γέροντι, λέγων· Ποίησόν με γενέσθαι μοναχόν. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Βλέπε τόπον, καὶ ποιοῦμέν σοι κελλίον Καὶ ἀπελθὼν ἀπὸ σημείου ἑνὸς εὖρε. Καὶ ἀπελθόντες ἐποίησαν κελλίον. Καὶ λέγει τῷ ἀδελφῷ· Εἰ τί σοι λέγω, τοῦτο ποίησον. Ὅταν πεινᾷς, φάγε, πίε, κοιμῶ· μόνον τοῦ κελλίου σου μὴ ἐξέλθῃς ἕως φὸς ἐποίησε τὰς δύο ἡμέρας κατὰ τὴν ἐντολὴν· καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀκηδιάσας, λέγει· Τί τοῦτο ἐποίησε μοι ὁ γέρων; καὶ ἀναστὰς, ἔψαλλε πλείστους ψαλμούς· καὶ μετὰ τὸ δῦναι τὸν ἥλιον ἔφαγε· καὶ ἀναθεωρεῖ Αἰθίοπα κείμενον τρίζοντα τοὺς ὀδόντας κατ' αὐτοῦ. Καὶ δρομαῖος φόβῳ πολλῷ ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν γέροντα· καὶ κρούσας τὴν θύραν, εἶπεν· Ἀββᾶ, ἐλέησόν με, καὶ ἄνοιξον Ὁ δὲ γέρων, γνοὺς ὅτι οὐκ ἐφύλαξε τὸ ῥῆμα αὐτοῦ, οὐκ ἤνοιξεν αὐτῷ ἕως πρωί, καὶ ἀνοίξας τῷ πρωΐ, εὗρεν αὐτὸν ἔξω παρακαλοῦντα· καὶ οἰκτηρήσας εἰσήνεγκεν αὐτόν. Τότε λέγει· Δέομαί σου, Πάτερ· Αἰθίοπα μέλανα εἶδον ἐπὶ τὸ ψιάθιόν μου, ὡς ἀπῆλθον κοιμηθῆναι. Ὁ δὲ εἶπε· Τοῦτο σας αὐτῷ πρὸς τὴν δύναμιν, τὸ ἀκόλουθον τοῦ μονήρους βίου κατὰ μικρὸν γέγονε μοναχὸς καλός. ### English translation (Claude) A brother who was under attack told abba Heracleius. And he, strengthening him, says to him, “An old man had a very obedient disciple for many years. One day, under attack, the disciple made a prostration to the old man, saying, ‘Make me become a monk on my own.’ And the old man says to him, ‘Look for a place, and we will make you a cell.’ And he went off and found one a mile away. And they went and made a cell. And he says to the brother, ‘Whatever I tell you, do it. When you are hungry, eat, drink, sleep; only do not go out of your cell until … ’ The brother did this for two days according to the command; and on the third day, overcome by listlessness, he says, ‘Why did the old man do this to me?’ And getting up, he sang a great many psalms; and after sunset he ate; and he sees an Ethiopian lying there gnashing his teeth at him. And running in great fear, he came to the old man; and knocking at the door he said, ‘Abba, have mercy on me and open!’ The old man, knowing that he had not kept his word, did not open to him until morning; and opening in the morning, he found him outside begging; and taking pity on him, he brought him in. Then he says, ‘I beg you, father: I saw a black Ethiopian on my mat when I went to sleep.’ And he said, ‘This …’” … according to his strength, the order of the solitary life, little by little he became a good monk. ### Translation notes - The scan loses words twice (marked “…”): the limit of the command (in other copies “until the end of the week”) and the old man’s explanation near the end. A variant note is removed. The demon appears as a black “Ethiopian,” a common figure in the sayings. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 36.1 (PG 65:185; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/36-1). ## Theodore of Pherme 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-1 - Source: PG 65:187 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius counsels Theodore to sell even his useful books, for poverty is greatest. ### Greek text Ὁ̔ ἀββᾶς Θεόδωρος ὁ τῆς Φέρμης ἐκτήσατο τρία βιβλία καλά· καὶ παρέβαλε τῷ ἀββᾷ Μακαρίῳ, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ, ὅτι Ἔχω τρία βιβλία καλὰ, καὶ ὠφελοῦμαι ἐξ αὐτῶν· καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ κιχρῶνται αὐτὰ, καὶ ὠφελοῦνται. Εἰπὲ οὖν μοι, τί ὤφειλον ποιῆσαι; κατάσχω αὐτὰ εἰς τὴν ἐμὴν καὶ τὴν τῶν ἀδελφῶν ὠφέλειαν, ἢ πωλήσω αὐτὰ καὶ δώσω πτωχοῖς; Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ γέρων εἶπε· Καλαὶ μὲν αἱ πράξεις, ἀλλὰ μείζων πάντων ἡ ἀκτημοσύνη ἐστί. Καὶ τοῦτο ἀκούσας, ἀπελθὼν ἐπώλησεν αὐτὰ, καὶ διέδωκε πτωχοῖς. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Theodore of Pherme had acquired three good books; and he visited abba Macarius and says to him, “I have three good books, and I benefit from them; and the brothers borrow them and benefit. So tell me, what ought I to do? Should I keep them for my own and the brothers’ benefit, or sell them and give to the poor?” And the old man answered, “Deeds are good, but greatest of all is possessing nothing.” Hearing this, he went and sold them and distributed to the poor. ### Scripture references - Matt 19:21: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.1 (PG 65:187; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1). ## Theodore of Pherme 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-2 - Source: PG 65:187 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore tells a restless brother he himself has found no rest in seventy years as a monk. ### Greek text Αδελφός τις καθεζόμενος εἰς τὰ Κελλία ἐταράσσετο καταμόνας· καὶ ἀπελθὼν πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Θεόδωρον τὸν τῆς Φέρμης, εἶπεν αὐτῷ. Ὁ δὲ γέρων εἶπεν· Ὕπαγε, ταπείνωσον τὸν λογισμόν σου, καὶ ὑποτάγηθι, καὶ μεῖνον μετὰ ἄλλων. Καὶ ὑποστρέφει πρὸς τὸν γέροντα, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Οὐδὲ μετὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἀναπαύομαι. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Εἰ μόνος οὐκ ἀναπαύῃ, οὐδὲ μετὰ τῶν ἄλλων, διατί ἐξῆλθες εἰς τὸν μοναχόν; οὐχὶ ἵνα ὑποφέρῃς τὰς θλίψεις; εἰπὲ δέ μοι· Πόσα ἔτη ἔχεις εἰς τὸ σχῆμα; Λέγει· Ὀκτώ. Εἶπεν οὖν αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Φύσει ἔχω ἐν τῷ σχήματι ἑβδομήκοντα ἔτη, καὶ οὐδὲ μίαν ἡμέραν εὗρον ἀνάπαυσιν· καὶ σὺ εἰς ὀκτὼ ἔτη θέλεις ἀνάπαυσιν ἔχειν; Καὶ τοῦτο ἀκούσας, ἑδραιωθεὶς ἀπῆλθεν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother living alone at the Cells was troubled; and he went to abba Theodore of Pherme and told him. The old man said, “Go, humble your thought, submit, and stay with others.” And he comes back to the old man and says to him, “I find no rest with people either.” And the old man says to him, “If you have no rest alone or with others, why did you come out to be a monk? Was it not to bear afflictions? But tell me, how many years have you been in the habit?” He says, “Eight.” So the old man said to him, “Truly, I have been in the habit seventy years, and I have not found rest for a single day; and you want to have rest in eight years?” Hearing this, he went away strengthened. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.2 (PG 65:187; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-2). ## Theodore of Pherme 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-3 - Source: PG 65:187 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore refuses a word to a brother who wants only to trade in others’ sayings. ### Greek text Παρέβαλεν ἀδελφός ποτε τῷ ἀββᾷ Θεοδώρῳ, καὶ ἐποίησε τρεῖς ἡμέρας παρακαλῶν αὐτὸν ἀκοῦσαι λόγον. Ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ. Καὶ ἐξῆλθε λυπούμενος. Λέγει οὖν αὐτῷ ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ· Ἀββᾶ, πῶς οὐκ εἶπες αὐτῷ λόγον; καὶ ἀπῆλθε λυπούμενος. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Φύσει οὐκ ἔλεγον αὐτῷ· πραγματευτὴς γάρ ἐστι, καὶ εἰς ἀλλοτρίους λόγους θέλει δοξάζεσθαι. ### English translation (Claude) Once a brother visited abba Theodore and spent three days begging him to hear a word. But he did not answer him. And he went away grieved. So his disciple says to him, “Abba, why did you not tell him a word? He went away grieved.” And the old man says to him, “Truly I did not speak to him; for he is a trader, and wants to be glorified with other people’s words.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.3 (PG 65:187; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-3). ## Theodore of Pherme 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-4 - Source: PG 65:187 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore counsels helping a friend fallen into sexual sin but quickly breaking with one fallen into heresy. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἐὰν ἕξεις φιλίαν μετὰ τινὸς, καὶ συμβῇ αὐτὸν εἰς πειρασμὸν πορνείας ἐμπεσεῖν, ἐὰν δύνασαι δὸς αὐτῷ χεῖρα, καὶ ἕλκυσον αὐτὸν ἄνω. Ἐὰν δὲ εἰς αἵρεσιν ἐμπέσῃ, καὶ μὴ πεισθῇ σοι ἀποστραφῆναι, ταχέως κόψον αὐτὸν ἀπὸ σοῦ· μήποτε βραδύνων συγκατασπασθῇς αὐτῷ εἰς τὸν βόθρον ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “If you have friendship with someone, and he happens to fall into the temptation of sexual immorality, if you can, give him your hand and pull him up. But if he falls into heresy and will not be persuaded by you to turn back, cut him off from you quickly, lest by delaying you be dragged down with him into the pit.” ### Scripture references - Titus 3:10: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.4 (PG 65:187; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-4). ## Theodore of Pherme 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-5 - Source: PG 65:187 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore excelled in poverty, asceticism, and flight from people. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Θεοδώρου τοῦ τῆς Φέρμης, ὅτι τὰ τρία ταῦτα κεφάλαια εἶχεν ὑπὲρ πολλούς· τὴν ἀκτημοσύνην, τὴν ἄσκησιν, καὶ τὸ φεύγειν τοὺς ἀνθρώπους. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Theodore of Pherme that he had these three chief things more than many: poverty, asceticism, and fleeing from people. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.5 (PG 65:187; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-5). ## Theodore of Pherme 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-6 - Source: PG 65:187 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore laments that monks no longer say “Forgive me” at table. ### Greek text Εὐκαίρησε ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Θεόδωρος μετ᾿ αὐτῶν καὶ ἐσθιόντων αὐτῶν, κατ' εὐλάβειαν ἐλάμβανον τὰ ποτήρια σιωπῶντες, καὶ οὐκ ἔλεγον τὸ Συγχώρησον. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Θεόδωρος Απώλεσαν οἱ μοναχοὶ τὴν εὐγένειαν αὐτῶν, τὸ λέγειν', Συγχώρησον. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Theodore happened to be with them; and as they were eating, they took the cups reverently in silence, and did not say “Forgive me.” And abba Theodore said, “The monks have lost their good manners, saying ‘Forgive me.’” ### Translation notes - The scan has lost whom Theodore was with (a variant note says “with brothers at Scetis”); variant notes are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.6 (PG 65:187; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-6). ## Theodore of Pherme 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-7 - Source: PG 65:189 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore points out the futility of a fast that replaces bread with chickpea flour. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν αὐτὸν ἀδελφὸς, λέγων· Θέλεις, ἀββᾶ, μικρὰς ἡμέρας μὴ φάγω ἄρτον; Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Καλῶς ποιεῖς· καὶ γὰρ κἀγὼ ἐποίησα οὕτως. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφός Θέλω οὖν λαβεῖν· τὰ ἐρεβἰνθιά μου εἰς τὸ ἀρτοκοπεῖον, καὶ ποιῆσαι αὐτὰ ἄλευρον. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Εἰ πάλιν ὑπάγεις εἰς τὸ ἀρτοκοπεῖον, ποίησον τὸν ἄρτον σου· καὶ τίς ἡ χρεία τῆς ἐξαγωγῆς ταύτης ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked him, saying, “Do you want me, abba, not to eat bread for a few days?” And the old man says to him, “You do well; I too did so.” And the brother says to him, “Then I want to take my chickpeas to the bakery and have them made into flour.” And the old man says to him, “If you are going to the bakery again, make your bread; and what need is there of this detour?” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.7 (PG 65:189; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-7). ## Theodore of Pherme 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-8 - Source: PG 65:189 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore says it is no wonder a monk falls, but a wonder that anyone escapes the enemy. ### Greek text Ἦλθέ τις τῶν γερόντων πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Θεόδωρον, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἰδοὺ ὁ δεῖνα ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὑπἑστρεψεν εἰς τὸν κόσμον. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἐπὶ τούτῳ θαυμάζεις; μὴ θαυμάσῃς, ἀλλὰ θαύμασον μᾶλλον ἐὰν ἀκούσῃς ὅτι ἡδυνήθη τις ἐκφυγεῖν ἀπὸ τοῦ στόματος τοῦ ἐχθροῦ. ### English translation (Claude) One of the old men came to abba Theodore and said to him, “Look, brother so-and-so has gone back to the world.” And the old man said to him, “Do you marvel at this? Do not marvel; but marvel rather if you hear that anyone has been able to escape from the mouth of the enemy.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.8 (PG 65:189; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-8). ## Theodore of Pherme 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-9 - Source: PG 65:189 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore tells a brother to practice before discussing advanced matters. ### Greek text Ἀδελφός τις ἦλθεν πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Θεόδωρον, καὶ ἤρξατο λαλεῖν καὶ ἐξετάζειν πράγματα, ὧν οὔπω τὴν ἐργασίαν ἐποίει. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Οὔπω εὗρες τὸ πλοῖον, οὐδὲ τὰ σκεύη σου ἔβαλες, καὶ πρὸ τοῦ πλεῦσαι, ἤδη εἰς τὴν πόλιν ἐκείνην ἀπῆλθες. Πρῶτον ὅταν ποιήσῃς τὸ ἔργον, ἔρχῃ εἰς ἃ νῦν λαλεῖς. ### English translation (Claude) A brother came to abba Theodore and began to talk and inquire about things he had not yet put into practice. And the old man says to him, “You have not yet found the ship, nor put your baggage aboard, and before sailing you have already arrived at that city. When you have first done the work, then come to what you are now talking about.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.9 (PG 65:189; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-9). ## Theodore of Pherme 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-10 - Source: PG 65:189 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore laments that handiwork has replaced the soul’s work as the monks’ main task. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτός ποτε παρέβαλε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἰωάννῃ τῷ ἀπὸ γεννήσεως εὐνούχῳ· καὶ λαλούντων αὐτῶν, εἶπεν· Ὅταν ἤμην εἰς Σκῆτιν, τὰ ἔργα τῆς ψυχῆς ἦν τὸ ἔργον ἡμῶν, τὸ δὲ ἐργόχειρον ὡς πάρεργον είχομεν· νῦν δὲ γέγονε τὸ ἔργον τῆς ψυχῆς ὡς πάρεργον, καὶ τὸ πάρεργον ἔργον. ### English translation (Claude) The same once visited abba John, the eunuch from birth; and as they were talking, he said, “When I was at Scetis, the works of the soul were our work, and handiwork we held as a side task; but now the work of the soul has become a side task, and the side task the work.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.10 (PG 65:189; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-10). ## Theodore of Pherme 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-11 - Source: PG 65:189 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore explains that keeping God’s commandments, like visiting the sick, is the soul’s true work. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησε δὲ αὐτὸν ἀδελφὸς, λέγων· Ποϊόν ἐστι τὸ ἔργον τῆς ψυχῆς, ὁ νῦν ὡς πάρεργον ἔχομεν, καὶ ποῖόν ἐστι τὸ πάρεργον, ὃ νῦν ἔργον ἔχομεν; Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Πάντα τὰ γινόμενα διὰ τὴν ἐντολὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἔργον ψυχῆς ἐστι· τὸ δὲ εἰς λόγον ἑαυτῶν ἐργάζεσθαι καὶ συνάγειν, τοῦτο πάρεργον ἔχειν ὀφείλομεν. Καὶ λέγει ὁ ἀδελφός· Σαφήνισόν μοι τὴν ὑπόθεσιν ταύτην. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ἰδοὺ ἀκούεις περὶ ἐμοῦ ὅτι ἀσθενῶ, καὶ ὀφείλεις ἐπισκέψασθαί με, καὶ λέγεις ἐν ἑαυτῷ· Καταλιπεῖν ἔχω τὸ ἔργον μου, καὶ νῦν ἀπελθεῖν; ἀλλὰ πληρώσω πρῶτον, καὶ οὕτως ἀπέρχομαι. Ἔρχεται δέ σοι καὶ ἄλλη ἀφορμὴ, καὶ τάχα οὐδὲ ὅλως ὑπάγεις. Πάλιν ἄλλος ἀδελφὸς λέγει σοι· Δός μοι χεῖρα, ἀδελφέ! καὶ λέγεις· Ἔχω ἀφῆσαι τὸ ἔργον μου, καὶ ἀπελθεῖν ἐργάσασθαι μετὰ τούτου; Ἐὰν οὖν μὴ ἀπέλθῃς, ἀφίεις τὴν ἐντολὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὅ ἐστι τὸ ἔργον τῆς ψυχῆς, καὶ ποιεῖς τὸ πάρεργον, ὅ ἐστι τὸ ἔργον τῶν χειρῶν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked him, saying, “What is the work of the soul, which we now hold as a side task, and what is the side task, which we now hold as work?” And the old man says, “Everything done for the commandment of God is the work of the soul; but working and gathering for ourselves, this we ought to hold as a side task.” And the brother says, “Explain this matter to me.” And the old man says, “Suppose you hear that I am ill, and you ought to visit me, and you say to yourself, ‘Shall I leave my work and go now? I will finish first, and then go.’ And another occasion comes up, and perhaps you never go at all. Again another brother says to you, ‘Give me a hand, brother’; and you say, ‘Shall I leave my work and go and work with him?’ If you do not go, you are leaving the commandment of God, which is the work of the soul, and doing the side task, which is the work of the hands.” ### Scripture references - Matt 25:36: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.11 (PG 65:189; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-11). ## Theodore of Pherme 12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-12 - Source: PG 65:189 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: One who stands in repentance is not bound by a set rule. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Θεόδωρος ὁ τῆς Φέρμης, ὅτι ἄνθρωπος στήκων εἰς μετάνοιαν, οὐ δέδεται εἰς ἐντολήν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Theodore of Pherme said, “A man who stands in repentance is not bound to a commandment.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.12 (PG 65:189; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-12). ## Theodore of Pherme 13 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-13 - Source: PG 65:189 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: No virtue equals not despising others. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς εἶπεν· Ἄ̓́λλη ἀρετὴ οὐκ ἔστιν, ὡς τὸ μὴ ἐξουθενεῖν. ### English translation (Claude) The same said, “There is no virtue like not despising anyone.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.13 (PG 65:189; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-13). ## Theodore of Pherme 14 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-14 - Source: PG 65:189–191 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Love of the cell, not contempt, makes a monk flee his neighbor. ### Greek text Πάλιν εἶπεν· "Ανθρωπος μαθὼν τὴν γλυκύτητα τοῦ κελλίου, οὐχ ὡς ἀτιμάζων τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ φεύγει. ### English translation (Claude) Again he said, “A man who has learned the sweetness of the cell flees from his neighbor, but not as despising him.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.14 (PG 65:189–191; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-14). ## Theodore of Pherme 15 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-15 - Source: PG 65:191 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore must cut off even compassionate ties to remain a monk. ### Greek text Πάλιν εἶπεν· Ἑὰν μὴ ἐκκόψω ἐμαυτὸν ἀπὸ τῶν οἰκτιρμῶν τούτων, οὐκ ἐῶσί με εἶναι μοναχόν. ### English translation (Claude) Again he said, “If I do not cut myself off from these compassions, they will not let me be a monk.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.15 (PG 65:191; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-15). ## Theodore of Pherme 16 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-16 - Source: PG 65:191 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Many seize rest before God gives it. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Πολλοὶ ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τούτῳ εἰλοντο τὴν ἀνάπαυσιν, πρὶν ὁ Θεὸς αὐτοῖς παράσχῃ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Many in this time have chosen rest before God has granted it to them.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.16 (PG 65:191; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-16). ## Theodore of Pherme 17 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-17 - Source: PG 65:191 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore forbids sleeping where a woman is. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Μὴ κοιμηθῇς εἰς τόπον ὅπου ἐστὶ γυνή. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Do not sleep in a place where there is a woman.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.17 (PG 65:191; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-17). ## Theodore of Pherme 18 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-18 - Source: PG 65:191 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theonas gave away everything to the poor and still said he had not fulfilled God’s commandment. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Θεόδωρον, λέγων· Θέλω ἐπιτελέσαι τὰς ἐντολάς. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Θεωνᾶ, ὅτι εἶπε καὶ αὐτός ποτε· Θέλω πληρῶσαι τὸν λογισμόν μου μετὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ λαβὼν σιτίαν εἰς τὸ ἀρτοκοπεῖον, ἐποίησεν ἄρτους· καὶ αἰτησάντων αὐτὸν πτωχῶν, ἔδωκε τοὺς ἄρτους· καὶ πάλιν αἰτησάντων ἄλλων, ἔδωκε τὰ σπυρίδια καὶ τὸ ἱμάτιον ὁ ἐφόρει, καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸ κελλίον, περιζωσάμενος τὸ μαφόριον. Καὶ οὕτως πάλιν ἐμέμφετο ἑαυτὸν λέγων, ὅτι Οὐκ ἐπλήρωσα τὴν ἐντολὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Theodore, saying, “I want to fulfill the commandments.” The old man told him about abba Theonas, that he too once said, “I want to fulfill my thought with God”; and taking flour to the bakery, he made loaves; and when poor people asked him, he gave the loaves; and when others asked again, he gave the baskets and the cloak he was wearing, and went into his cell girded with his shoulder cloth. And even so he blamed himself, saying, “I have not fulfilled the commandment of God.” ### Scripture references - Luke 17:10: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.18 (PG 65:191; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-18). ## Theodore of Pherme 19 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-19 - Source: PG 65:191 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore will not break his week’s seclusion to visit a dying friend, trusting to meet him in the next world. ### Greek text Ἠσθένησέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωσὴφ, καὶ ἔπεμψε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Θεόδωρον, λέγων· Δεῦρο, ἵνα σε ἴδω πρὸ τοῦ με ἐξελθεῖν ἐκ τοῦ σώματος· ἦν δὲ μέσον τῆς ἑβδομάδος. Καὶ οὐκ ἀπῆλθεν· ἔπεμψε δὲ, λέγων· Ἐὰν μείνῃς ἕως τοῦ σαββάτου, ἔρχομαι· εἰ δὲ ὑπάγεις, εἰς ἐκεῖνον τὸν κόσμον βλέπομεν ἀλλήλους. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Joseph fell ill and sent to abba Theodore, saying, “Come, so that I may see you before I leave the body.” It was the middle of the week. And he did not go, but sent word, saying, “If you stay until Saturday, I will come; but if you go, we shall see each other in that world.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.19 (PG 65:191; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-19). ## Theodore of Pherme 20 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-20 - Source: PG 65:191 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore says that he himself is in danger and has no word to give. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς εἶπε τῷ ἀββᾷ Θεοδώρῳ· Εἰπέ μοι ῥῆμα, ὅτι ἀπόλλυμαι. Καὶ μετὰ κόπου εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἐγὼ κινδυνεύω, καὶ τί σοι ἔχω εἰπεῖν; ### English translation (Claude) A brother said to abba Theodore, “Tell me a word, for I am perishing.” And with difficulty he said to him, “I am in danger myself, and what have I to tell you?” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.20 (PG 65:191; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-20). ## Theodore of Pherme 21 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-21 - Source: PG 65:191 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore helps a brother with his work once, then sends him away as a distraction. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Θεόδωρον, ἵνα διδάξῃ αὐτὸν ῥάπτειν, ἐνέγκας καὶ τὴν σειρὰν πρὸς αὐτόν. Ὁ δὲ γέρων λέγει αὐτῷ· Ὕπαγε, καὶ πρωί δεῦρο ὧδε. Καὶ ἀναστὰς ὁ γέρων, ἔβρεξεν αὐτῷ τὴν σειρὰν, καὶ ἡτοίμασεν αὐτῷ τὴν προκαταραφὴν, λέγων· Οὕτως καὶ οὕτως ποίησον· καὶ ἀφῆκεν αὐτόν. Καὶ εἰσελθὼν εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ, ἐκάθισεν ὁ γέρων· καὶ εἰς τὴν ὥραν, ἐποίησεν αὐτὸν φαγεῖν, καὶ ἀπέπεμψεν. Ἦλθε δὲ πάλιν πρωΐ· καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἆρον τὴν σειράν σου ἔνθεν, καὶ ἀναχώρει· εἰς πειρασμὸν γὰρ ἦλθες βαλεῖν με καὶ εἰς φροντίδα. Καὶ οὐκ ἔτι ἀφῆκεν αὐτὸν ἔσω. ### English translation (Claude) A brother came to abba Theodore to have him teach him to sew, bringing the rope with him. The old man says to him, “Go, and come back here in the morning.” And the old man got up, soaked the rope for him, and prepared the first stitches, saying, “Do it like this and like this”; and he let him go. And going into his cell, the old man sat down; and at the hour he made him eat and sent him away. He came again in the morning; and the old man says to him, “Take your rope away from here and go; for you have come to put me into temptation and anxiety.” And he did not let him in again. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.21 (PG 65:191; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-21). ## Theodore of Pherme 22 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-22 - Source: PG 65:191 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore blames himself, not his disciple, when the disciple paid a seller with dirty wheat. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ μαθητὴς τοῦ ἀββᾶ Θεοδώρου, ὅτι Ηλθέ ποτέ τις πωλῶν κρόμμυα, καὶ ἐγέμισέ μοι κρατῆρα. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Γέμισον αὐτῷ σἴτον, καὶ δὸς αὐτῷ. Ἦταν δὲ δύο βουνοὶ σίτου, εἷς καθαρός, καὶ εἷς ἀκαθάρτος· ἐγέμισα δὲ αὐτῷ ἐκ τοῦ ἀκαθάρτου. Καὶ προσέσχε μοι ὁ γέρων μετὰ ἕξεως καὶ λύπης· καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ φόβου ἔπεσον, καὶ ἔκλασα τὸν κρατῆρα· καὶ ἔβαλον αὐτῷ μετάνοιαν. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ἐγείρου, οὐκ ἔχεις σὺ πρᾶγμα, ἀλλ᾽ ἐγὼ ἥμαρτον, ὅτι εἶπόν σοι. Καὶ εἰσελθὼν ὁ γέρων ἐγέμισε τὸν κόλπον αὐτοῦ σἴτον καθαρὸν, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ μετὰ τῶν κρομμύων. ### English translation (Claude) The disciple of abba Theodore said, “Once someone came selling onions, and he filled a bowl for me. And the old man says, ‘Fill it with wheat for him and give it to him.’ There were two heaps of wheat, one clean and one unclean; and I filled it for him from the unclean. And the old man looked at me with severity and grief; and from fear I fell and broke the bowl; and I made a prostration to him. And the old man says, ‘Get up, it is not your fault, but I sinned, because I spoke to you.’ And the old man went in and filled the fold of his garment with clean wheat and gave it to him with the onions.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.22 (PG 65:191; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-22). ## Theodore of Pherme 23 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-23 - Source: PG 65:191–193 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A serpent at the cistern flees in shame before Theodore. ### Greek text Ἀπῆλθέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Θεόδωρος μετὰ ἀδελφοῦ γεμίσαι ὕδωρ· καὶ προλαβὼν ὁ ἀδελφὸς εἰς τὸν λάκκον εἶδε δράκοντα. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Υπαγε, πάτησον τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ. Καὶ φοβηθεὶς οὐκ ἀπῆλθεν. Ἦλθε δὲ ὁ γέρων, καὶ εἶδεν αὐτὸν τὸ θηρίον, καὶ καταισχυνθὲν ἔφυγεν εἰς τὴν ἔρημον. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Theodore went with a brother to draw water; and the brother, going ahead to the cistern, saw a serpent. And the old man says to him, “Go, tread on its head.” And being afraid he did not go. But the old man came, and the beast saw him and, put to shame, fled into the desert. ### Scripture references - Luke 10:19: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.23 (PG 65:191–193; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-23). ## Theodore of Pherme 24 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-24 - Source: PG 65:193 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore, having prayed to be freed from fear, says he would not fear even if heaven fell to earth. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησέ τις τὸν ἀββᾶν Θεόδωρον Ἐὰν ἄφνω ·γένηταί τις πτῶσις, καὶ σὺ φοβῇ, ἀββᾶ; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἐὰν κολληθῇ ὁ οὐρανὸς τῇ γῇ, Θεόδωρος οὐ φοβεῖται. Ἦν γὰρ δεηθεὶς τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἵνα ἀρθῇ ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἡ δειλία. Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ἠρώτησεν αὐτόν. ### English translation (Claude) Someone asked abba Theodore, “If a sudden collapse happens, are you afraid too, abba?” The old man says to him, “If heaven is stuck to the earth, Theodore is not afraid.” For he had prayed to God that timidity might be taken away from him. That is why the man asked him. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.24 (PG 65:193; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-24). ## Theodore of Pherme 25 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-25 - Source: PG 65:193 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Shown a pillar of fire as the measure of a deacon, Theodore refuses to serve in the diaconate. ### Greek text Ἑλέγετο περὶ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι γενόμενος διάκονος εἰς Σκῆτιν οὐκ ἤθελε καταδέξασθαι διακονεῖν, καὶ εἰς πολλοὺς τόπους ἔφυγε. Καὶ πάλιν οἱ γέροντες ἔφερον αὐτὸν, λέγοντες· Μὴ καταλίπῃς τὴν διακονίαν σου. Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ἀββᾶς Θεόδωρος· Ἐάσατέ με, καὶ δέομαι τοῦ Θεοῦ, εἰ πληροφορήσει με στῆναι εἰς τὸν τόπον τῆς λειτουργίας μου. Καὶ δεόμενος τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἔλεγεν· Εἰ θέλημά σου ἐστιν ἵνα στῶ εἰς τὸν τόπον μου, πληροφόρησόν με. Καὶ ἐδείχθη αὐτῷ στύλος πυρὸς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἕως τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, καὶ φωνή λέγουσα· Εἰ δύνασαι γενέσθαι ὡς ὁ στύλος οὗτος, ὕπαγε, διακόνησον. Ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας ἔκρινε μηκέτι καταδέξασθαι. Ἐλθόντος οὖν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, ἔβαλον αὐτῷ μετάνοιαν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ, λέγοντες· Εἰ οὐ θέλεις διακονεῖν, κἂν τὸ ποτήριον κατάσχε. Καὶ οὐκ ἠνέσχετο, λέγων· Ἐὰν μὴ ἀφῆτε, ἀναχωρῶ ἐκ τοῦ τόπου τούτου. Καὶ οὕτως ἀφῆκαν αὐτόν. ### English translation (Claude) It was said of him that when he was made a deacon at Scetis, he would not agree to serve as deacon, and he fled to many places. And again the old men brought him back, saying, “Do not abandon your diaconate.” Abba Theodore says to them, “Let me be, and I will pray to God whether he will assure me to stand in the place of my ministry.” And praying to God, he said, “If it is your will that I stand in my place, assure me.” And there was shown to him a pillar of fire from earth to heaven, and a voice saying, “If you can become like this pillar, go, serve as deacon.” Hearing this, he decided never to accept it. So when he came to church, the brothers made a prostration to him, saying, “If you do not want to serve as deacon, at least hold the cup.” And he would not bear it, saying, “If you do not let me be, I will leave this place.” And so they left him alone. ### Scripture references - Exod 13:21: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.25 (PG 65:193; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-25). ## Theodore of Pherme 26 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-26 - Source: PG 65:193 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: In his old age Theodore passed each gift of food to the next visitor. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον δὲ περὶ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ὡς ἡρημώθη ἡ Σκῆτις, ἦλθε μεῖναι εἰς Φέρμην· καὶ γηράσας ἠσθένησε. Προσέφερον οὖν αὐτῷ ἐδέσματά τινα. Καὶ ἃ ἔφερεν ὁ πρῶτος, ἐδίδου τῷ δευτέρῳ, καὶ οὕτως κατὰ τὴν τάξιν, ἃ ἐλάμβανεν παρὰ τοῦ πρώτου, παρεῖχε τῷ ἄλλῳ· εἰς δὲ τὴν ὥραν τοῦ γεύσασθαι, ὃ ἔφερεν ὁ ἐρχόμενος, τοῦτο ἤσθιεν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of him that when Scetis was laid waste, he came to live at Pherme; and growing old, he fell ill. So they brought him some food. And what the first brought, he gave to the second, and so in order, what he received from the first he gave to the next; and at the hour for eating, he ate what the one who came then brought. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.26 (PG 65:193; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-26). ## Theodore of Pherme 27 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-27 - Source: PG 65:193 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore binds three demons outside his cell by prayer. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Θεοδώρου, ὅτι ὅτε ἐκάθητο ἐν Σκήτει, ἦλθε πρὸς αὐτὸν δαίμων θέλων εἰσελθεῖν· καὶ ἔδησεν αὐτὸν ἔξω τῆς κέλλης. Καὶ πάλιν ἄλλος δαίμων ἦλθεν εἰσελθεῖν· καὶ τοῦτον ἔδησε. Καὶ προσθεὶς ὁ τρίτος δαίμων, ἦλθε, καὶ εὖρε δεδεμένους τοὺς δύο· καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Τί ἑστήκατε ὧδε ἔξω; Καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ, ὅτι Ἔστι καθήμενος ἔσω, καὶ μὴ ἐῶν ἡμᾶς εἰσελθεῖν. Καὶ αὐτὸς τυραννήσας ἐπεχείρησεν εἰσελθεῖν. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἔδησε καὶ τοῦτον. Φοβηθέντες δὲ τὰς εὐχὰς τοῦ γέροντος, παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν, λέγοντες· Απόλυσον ἡμᾶς. Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων Ὑπάγετε. Καὶ λοιπὸν αἰσχυνθέντες ἀνεχώρησαν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Theodore that when he was living at Scetis, a demon came to him wanting to come in; and he bound him outside the cell. And again another demon came to go in; and he bound him too. And a third demon came besides and found the two bound; and he says to them, “Why are you standing outside here?” And they say to him, “He is sitting inside and will not let us come in.” And he tried to force his way in. But the old man bound him too. Fearing the old man’s prayers, they begged him, saying, “Release us.” And the old man says to them, “Go.” And finally, put to shame, they went away. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.27 (PG 65:193; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-27). ## Theodore of Pherme 28 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-28 - Source: PG 65:193–195 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore receives a count half-dressed, refusing to adjust himself for human approval. ### Greek text Διηγήσατό τις τῶν Πατέρων, περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Θεοδώρου τοῦ τῆς Φέρμης, ὅτι Ηλθόν ποτε δείλης πρὸς αὐτὸν, καὶ εὗρον αὐτὸν φοροῦντα κεκομμένον λεβίτωνα, καὶ τὸ στῆθος αὐτοῦ γυμνὸν, καὶ τὸ κοκούλιον αὐτοῦ ἔμπροσθεν. Καὶ ἰδού τις Κόμης ἦλθεν ἰδεῖν αὐτόν. Καὶ κρούσαντος αὐτοῦ, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ γέρων ἀνοῖξαι, καὶ ἀπαντήσας αὐτῷ ἐκάθισεν εἰς τὴν θύραν λαλεῖν αὐτῷ. Καὶ ἔλαβον κόμμα μαφορίου, καὶ ἐσκέπασα τοὺς ὤμους αὐτοῦ. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἐξέτεινε τὴν χεῖρα, καὶ ἔῤῥιψε αὐτό. Καὶ ὡς ἀπῆλθεν ὁ Κόμης, εἶπον αὐτῷ· Ἀββᾶ, τί τοῦτο ἐποίησας; ἦλθεν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὠφεληθῆναι· μὴ ἵνα σκανδαλισθῇ; Καὶ λέγει μοι ὁ γέρων Τί λέγεις μοι, ἀββᾶ; ἀκμὴν τοῖς ἀνθρώποις δουλεύομεν; ἐποιήσαμεν τὴν χρείαν· παρῆλθε λοιπόν. Ὁ θέλων ὠφεληθῆναι, ὠφεληθῇ ὁ θέλων σκανδαλισθῆναι, σκανδαλισθῇ· ἐγὼ δὲ ὡς δ᾽ ἂν εὑρεθῶ, οὕτως ἀπαντῶ. Παρήγγειλε δὲ τῷ μαθητῇ αὐτοῦ, λέγων·. Ἐάν τις ἔλθῃ ἰδεῖν με θέλων, μὴ εἴπῃς αὐτῷ τί ποτε ἀνθρώπινον· ἀλλ᾽ ἐὰν τρώγω, εἰπὲ, Τρώγει· ἐὰν κοιμῶμαι, εἰπὲ, Κοιμᾶται. ### English translation (Claude) One of the Fathers related about abba Theodore of Pherme: “I came to him once in the afternoon and found him wearing a torn tunic, with his chest bare and his hood hanging in front. And look, a count came to see him. When he knocked, the old man went out to open, and meeting him he sat at the door to talk with him. And I took a piece of a shoulder cloth and covered his shoulders. But the old man stretched out his hand and threw it off. And when the count had gone, I said to him, ‘Abba, why did you do this? The man came to be helped; was it so that he might be offended?’ And the old man says to me, ‘What are you saying to me, abba? Are we still slaves to men? We did what was needed; it is over. Whoever wants to be helped, let him be helped; whoever wants to be offended, let him be offended; but I meet people as I happen to be found.’ And he instructed his disciple, saying, ‘If someone comes wanting to see me, tell him nothing in a human way; but if I am eating, say, “He is eating”; if I am sleeping, say, “He is sleeping.”’” ### Scripture references - Gal 1:10: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.28 (PG 65:193–195; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-28). ## Theodore of Pherme 29 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-37-29 - Source: PG 65:195 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore throws off two robbers but then lets them take three-quarters of his goods, keeping his church tunic. ### Greek text Ἦλθόν ποτε ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ τρεῖς λῃσταί· καὶ οἱ δύο ἐκράτουν αὐτὸν, ὁ δὲ εἷς ἐκουβάλει τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ. Ὡς δὲ ἐξήνεγκε τὰ βιβλία, καὶ τὸν λεβίτωνα ὁ ἤθελε λαβεῖν· τότε λέγει αὐτοῖς Τοῦτο ἀφίετε. Οἱ δὲ οὐκ ἤθελον. Καὶ κινήσας τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ ἔρριψε τοὺς δύο. Καὶ ἰδόντες ἐφοβήθησαν. Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Μηδὲν δειμάσητε ποιήσατε αὐτὰ εἰς τέσσαρα μέρη, καὶ λάβετε τὰ τρία, καὶ ἄφετε τὸ ἕν. Καὶ οὕτως ἐποίησαν· διὰ τὸ λαβεῖν τὸ μέρος αὐτοῦ τὸν λεβίτωνα τὸν συνακτικόν ### English translation (Claude) Once three robbers came upon him; and two of them held him while one carried off his belongings. When he had brought out the books and wanted to take the tunic too, he then says to them, “Leave this.” But they would not. And moving his hands, he threw the two down. And seeing it, they were afraid. And the old man says to them, “Do not be afraid; divide these things into four parts, and take three, and leave one.” And they did so; and he took as his share the tunic he wore at the synaxis. ### Translation notes - The last clause is compressed in the scan; translated by sense. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 37.29 (PG 65:195; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-29). ## Theodore of Enaton 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-38-1 - Source: PG 65:195 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore helped every brother at the bakery before making his own bread. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Θεόδωρος ὁ τοῦ Ἐννάτου ὅτι Ὅτε ἤμην νεώτερος, εἰς τὴν ἔρημον ἔμενον. Ἀπῆλθον οὖν εἰς τὸ ἀρτοκοπεῖον ποιῆσαι δύο σιτίας, καὶ εὖρον ἐκεῖ ἀδελφὸν θέλοντα ποιῆσαι ἄρτους, καὶ οὐκ εἶχέ τινα δοῦναι αὐτῷ χεῖρα. Ἐγὼ δὲ ἀφῆκα τὰ ἐμὰ, καὶ ἔδωκα αὐτῷ χεῖρα. Ὡς δὲ ἐσχόλασα, ἦλθεν ἄλλος ἀδελφὸς, καὶ πάλιν ἔδωκα αὐτῷ χεῖρα, καὶ ἐποίησα τὰ ψωμία. Καὶ πάλιν τρίτος ἦλθε, καὶ ἐποίησα ὁμοίως καὶ οὕτως ἕκαστον τῶν ἐρχομένων ἐποίουν καὶ ἐποίησα ἓξ σιτίας. Ὕστερον δὲ ἐποίησα τὰς δύο σιτίας τὰς ἐμὰς, ἀποσχόντων τῶν ἐρχομένων. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Theodore of the Enaton said, “When I was young, I lived in the desert. So I went to the bakery to make two loads of bread, and I found a brother there wanting to make loaves, and he had no one to give him a hand. So I left my own and gave him a hand. When I was free, another brother came, and again I gave him a hand and made the loaves. And a third came again, and I did the same; and so I did for each one who came, and I made six loads. Afterward I made my own two loads, when those coming had stopped.” ### Translation notes - The Enaton was a monastic settlement nine miles west of Alexandria. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 38.1 (PG 65:195; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/38-1). ## Theodore of Enaton 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-38-2 - Source: PG 65:195–197 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore and Lucius stayed fifty years by always postponing their move to the next season. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Θεοδώρου καὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Λουκίου τῶν τοῦ Ἐννάτου, ὅτι ἐποίησαν πεντήκοντα ἔτη, χλευάζοντες τοὺς λογισμοὺς αὐτῶν, καὶ λέγοντες· Μετὰ τὸν χειμῶνα τοῦτον, μεταβαίνομεν ἐντεῦθεν. Ὅτε δὲ πάλιν ἤρχετο τὸ θέρος, ἔλεγον, ὅτι Μετὰ τὸ θέρος τοῦτο ἀπερχόμεθα ἐντεῦθεν. Καὶ οὕτως ἐποίησαν πάντα τὸν χρόνον οἱ ἀείμνηστοι Πατέρες. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Theodore and abba Lucius of the Enaton that they spent fifty years mocking their thoughts and saying, “After this winter we will move from here.” And when summer came again, they said, “After this summer we will go away from here.” And so these Fathers of everlasting memory did all their time. ### Translation notes - A passage of Migne’s notes (on a flight to Alexandria with Julian, bishop of Halicarnassus) inside the sentence is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 38.2 (PG 65:195–197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/38-2). ## Theodore of Enaton 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-38-3 - Source: PG 65:197 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: If God counted our distractions in prayer, none could be saved. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Θεόδωρος ὁ τῶν Ἐννάτου, ὅτι Ἐὰν λογίσηται ἡμῖν ὁ Θεὸς τὰς ἐν ταῖς εὐχαῖς ἀμελείας, καὶ τὰς αἰχμαλωσίας τὰς ἐν ταῖς ψαλμῳδίαις, οὐ δυνάμεθα σωθῆναι. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Theodore of the Enaton said, “If God reckons against us our carelessness in prayers and our captivity of mind in psalmody, we cannot be saved.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 38.3 (PG 65:197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/38-3). ## Theodore of Scetis 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-39-1 - Source: PG 65:197 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Thoughts may trouble and hinder one at prayer without forcing one to act. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Θεόδωρος ὁ εἰς Σκῆτιν· Ἔρχεται ὁ λογισμὸς, καὶ ταράσσει με, καὶ ἀσχολεῖ με, καὶ τὴν πρᾶξιν οὐκ ἰσχύει ποιῆσαι, ἀλλὰ μόνον ἐμποδίζει αὐτὸν, ἐγείρεται εἰς προσευχήν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Theodore of Scetis said, “A thought comes, troubles me, and occupies me, but it has no strength to make me act; it only hinders me, and it rises up at prayer.” ### Translation notes - The Greek of the scan is disordered at the end; translated by sense. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 39.1 (PG 65:197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/39-1). ## Theodore of Eleutheropolis 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-40-1 - Source: PG 65:197 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodore prefers honor, which one can humbly disown, to dishonor, which comes from sin and scandalizes others. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀβραὰμ ὁ Ἰβὴρ τὸν ἀββᾶν Θεόδωρον τὸν Ἐλευθεροπολίτην, λέγων· Πῶς καλῶς ἐστι, Πάτερ; δόξαν περιποιήσομαι ἐμαυτῷ, ἢ ἀτιμίαν; Ὁ δὲ γέρων λέγει· Τέως ἐγὼ θέλω περιποιήσασθαι δόξαν, ἢ ἀτιμίαν. Ἐὰν γὰρ ποιήσω καλὸν ἔργον, καὶ δοξασθῶ, δύναμαι κατακρίναι τὸν λογισμόν μου, ὅτι οὐκ εἰμὶ ἄξιος τῆς δόξης ταύτης· ἡ δὲ ἀτιμία ἀπὸ φαύλων πραγμάτων γίνεται. Πῶς οὖν δύναμαι παρακαλέσαι τὴν καρδίαν μου, σκανδαλισθέντων ἐν ἐμοὶ δοξάζεσθαι. Ὁ δὲ ἀββᾶς Ἀβραὰμ εἶπε· Καλῶς εἶπας, Πάτερ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Abraham the Iberian asked abba Theodore of Eleutheropolis, saying, “Which is good, father: shall I win glory for myself, or dishonor?” The old man says, “For my part, I would rather win glory than dishonor. For if I do a good work and am glorified, I can condemn my thought, that I am not worthy of this glory; but dishonor comes from bad deeds. How then can I comfort my heart, when people are offended because of me? So it is better to be glorified.” And abba Abraham said, “You have spoken well, father.” ### Translation notes - The last clause of Theodore’s answer is compressed in the scan; translated by sense. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 40.1 (PG 65:197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/40-1). ## Theodore of Eleutheropolis 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-40-2 - Source: PG 65:197 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodotus and another elder compare fasting and vigil as disciplines of the body. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Θεόδοτος· Ἡ ἔνδεια τοῦ ἄρτου τήκει τὸ σῶμα τοῦ μοναχοῦ. Ἄλλος δὲ γέρων ἔλεγεν, ὅτι ἡ ἀγρυπνία πλέον τήκει τὸ σῶμα. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Theodotus said, “Lack of bread wastes the monk’s body.” But another old man said, “Vigil wastes the body more.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 40.2 (PG 65:197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/40-2). ## Theonas 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-41-0 - Source: PG 65:197 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theonas says the passions capture the mind when it turns from contemplating God. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Θεωνᾶς· Διὰ τὸ ἀπασχοληθῆναι τὸν νοῦν ἀπὸ τῆς εἰς Θεὸν θεωρίας, αἰχμαλωτιζόμεθα ὑπὸ τῶν παθῶν τῶν σαρκικῶν. Περὶ Θεοφίλου τοῦ ἀρχιεπισκόπου. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Theonas said, “Because our mind is distracted from the contemplation of God, we are taken captive by the passions of the flesh.” [On Theophilus the archbishop.] ### Translation notes - This is the one saying of abba Theonas; the words after it are the printed heading of the next section, on archbishop Theophilus, to which the following numbered sayings (41.1 onward) belong. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 41.0 (PG 65:197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/41-0). ## Theophilus the archbishop 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-41-1 - Source: PG 65:197 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The abba of Nitria tells Theophilus that the monk’s way is always to blame oneself. ### Greek text Ὁ μακάριος Θεόφιλος ὁ ἀρχιεπίσκοπος παρἐβαλέ ποτε εἰς τὸ ὄρος τῆς Νιτρίας· καὶ ἦλθεν ὁ ἀββᾶς τοῦ ὄρους πρὸς αὐτόν. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀρχιεπίσκοπος· Τί εὗρες ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ ταύτῃ πλέον, Πάτερ; ἑαυτὸν πάντοτε. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Θεόφιλος· Ἄλλη ὁδὸς οὐκ ἔστιν, εἰ μὴ αὕτη. ### English translation (Claude) The blessed archbishop Theophilus once visited the mountain of Nitria; and the abba of the mountain came to him. And the archbishop says to him, “What have you found more than anything else on this road, father?” … [To blame] oneself always. Abba Theophilus says to him, “There is no other road but this.” ### Translation notes - The saying belongs to archbishop Theophilus (see the heading at 41.0). Words are lost in the scan before the abba’s answer (in other copies: “He said, To accuse and blame oneself always”); not supplied. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 41.1 (PG 65:197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/41-1). ## Theophilus the archbishop 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-41-2 - Source: PG 65:197 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pambo will not speak to Theophilus: if his silence does not help, his words will not. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἀββᾶς Θεόφιλος ὁ ἀρχιεπίσκοπος παρέβαλέ ποτε εἰς τὴν Σκῆτιν. Συναχθέντες δὲ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ εἶπον τῷ ἀββᾷ Παμβώ· Εἰπὲ ἕνα λόγον τῷ Πάπᾳ, ὅπως ὠφεληθῇ Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Εἰ οὐκ ὠφελεῖται ἐν τῇ σιωπῇ μου, οὐδὲ ἐν τῷ λόγῳ μου ὠφεληθῆναι ἔχει. ### English translation (Claude) The same abba Theophilus the archbishop once visited Scetis. The brothers gathered and said to abba Pambo, “Say a word to the pope, so that he may be helped.” The old man says to them, “If he is not helped by my silence, he will not be helped by my word either.” ### Translation notes - “Pope” (πάπας) was the title of the archbishop of Alexandria. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 41.2 (PG 65:197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/41-2). ## Theophilus the archbishop 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-41-3 - Source: PG 65:199 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Desert Fathers at Theophilus’s table stop eating when told the dish is meat. ### Greek text Ἦλθόν ποτε Πατέρες εἰς Ἀλεξάνδρειαν, κληθέντες ὑπὸ Θεοφίλου τοῦ ἀρχιεπισκόπου, ἵνα ποιήσῃ εὐχὴν, καὶ καθέλῃ τὰ ἱερά. Καὶ ἐσθιόντων αὐτῶν μετ' αὐτοῦ, παρετέθη κρέας μόσχιον· καὶ ἤσθιον, μηδὲν διακρινόμενοι. Καὶ λαβὼν ὁ ἐπίσκοπος ἓν κοπάδιν ἔδωκε τῷ ἔγγιστα αὐτοῦ γέροντι, λέγων· Ἰδοὺ τοῦτο καλὸν κοπάδιν ἐστὶ, φάγε, ἀββᾶ. Οἱ δὲ ἀποκριθέντες εἶπον· Ἡμεῖς ἕως ἄρτι λάχανα ἠσθίομεν εἰ δὲ κρέας ἐστὶ, οὐ τρώγομεν. Καὶ οὐκ ἔτι προσέθετο οὐδὲ εἷς ἐξ αὐτῶν γεύσασθαι αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Once some Fathers came to Alexandria, summoned by Theophilus the archbishop to pray and tear down the temples. As they were eating with him, veal was served; and they ate it without noticing. And the bishop took a piece and gave it to the old man nearest him, saying, “Look, this is a good piece; eat, abba.” But they answered, “Until now we were eating vegetables; but if it is meat, we do not eat it.” And not one of them would taste it any more. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 41.3 (PG 65:199; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/41-3). ## Theophilus the archbishop 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-41-4 - Source: PG 65:199–201 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theophilus describes the soul’s trial by demons and angels at death and its eternal outcome. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἀββᾶς Θεόφιλος ἔλεγεν Οἷον φόβον καὶ τρόμον καὶ ἀνάγκην ἔχομεν ἰδεῖν, ὅτε ἡ ψυχὴ τοῦ σώματος χωρίζεται Παραγίνεται γὰρ πρὸς ἡμᾶς στρατιὰ καὶ δύναμις τῶν ἐναντίων δυνάμεων, οἱ τοῦ σκότους ἄρχοντες, οἱ κοσμοκράτορες τῆς πονηρίας, καὶ ἀρχαὶ καὶ ἐξουσίαι, τὰ πνεύματα τῆς πονηρίας· καὶ τρόπῳ τινὶ δίκης κατέχουσι τὴν ψυχὴν, ἐπιφέροντες πάντα αὐτῆς τὰ ἐν γνώσει καὶ ἀγνοίᾳ ἁμαρτήματα, ἀπὸ νεότητος ἕως τῆς ἡλικίας ἧς κατελήφθη. Ἴστανται οὖν κατηγοροῦντες πάντα τὰ πεπραγμένα ὑπ᾿ αὐτῆς. Λοιπὸν ὁποῖον τρόμον δοκεῖς τὴν ψυχὴν ἔχειν ἐν τῇ ὥρᾳ ἐκείνῃ, ἕως οὗ ἡ ἀπόφασις ἐξέλθῃ, καὶ ἐλευθερία γένηται αὐτῆς; τοῦτό ἐστιν ἡ ὥρα τῆς ἀνάγκης αὐτῆς, ἕως οὗ ἴδῃ τί τὸ ἀποβησόμενον αὐτῇ. Καὶ πάλιν αἱ θεῖαι δυνάμεις ἴστανται κατὰ πρόσωπον τῶν ἐναντίων, καὶ αὐταὶ τὰ καλὰ αὐτῆς ἐπιφέρουσαι. Κατανόει οὖν ἡ ψυχή μέση ἱσταμένη ποίῳ ἄρα φόβῳ καὶ τρόμῳ στήκει, ἕως οὗ ἡ κρίσις αὐτῆς ἀπόφασιν λάβῃ παρὰ τοῦ δικαίου κριτοῦ. Καὶ ἐὰν μὲν ᾗ ἀξία, ἐκεῖνοι λαμβάνουσιν ἐπιτιμίαν, καὶ αὐτὴ ἁρπάζεται ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν· καὶ λοιπὸν ἀμέριμνος εἶ, μᾶλλον δὲ κατοικεῖ κατὰ τὸ γεγραμμένον· Ὡς εὐφραινομένων πάντων ἡ κατοικία ἐν σοί. Τότε πληροῦται τὸ γεγραμμένον Ἀπέδρα ὀδύνη καὶ λύπη καὶ στεναγμός· τότε ἀπαλλαγείσα πορεύεται εἰς ἐκείνην τὴν ἀνεκλάλητον χαρὰν καὶ δόξαν, εἰς ἣν καταστήσεται. Ἐὰν δὲ εὑρεθῇ ἐν ἀμελείᾳ ζήσασα, ἀκούει τὴν δεινοτάτην φωνήν· Ἀρθήτω ὁ ἀσεβὴς, ἵνα μὴ ἴδῃ τὴν δόξαν Κυρίου. Τότε αὐτὴν καταλαμβάνει ἡμέρα ὀργῆς, ἡμέρα θλίψεως ἡμέρα σκότους καὶ γνόφου. Παραδιδομένη εἰς τὸ ἐξώτερον σκότος, καὶ εἰς τὸ αἰώνιον πῦρ κατακριθεῖσα, εἰς ἀπεράντους αἰῶνας κολασθήσεται. Τότε ποῦ ἡ καύχησις τοῦ κόσμου; ποῦ ἡ κενοδοξία; ποῦ ἡ τρυφή; ποῦ ἡ ἀπόλαυσις; ποῦ ἡ φαντασία; ποῦ ἡ ἀνάπαυσις; ποῦ ὁ κόμπος; ποῦ τὰ χρήματα; ποῦ ἡ εὐγένεια; ποῦ πατήρ; ποῦ μήτηρ; ποῦ ἀδελφός; τίς δυνήσεται τούτων ἐξελέσθαι τὴν ὑπὸ πυρὸς φλεγομένην, καὶ ὑπὸ πικρῶν βασάνων κατεχομένην; Τούτων οὕτως γινομένων, ποταποὺς δεῖ ὑπάρχειν ἡμᾶς ἐν ἁγίαις ἀναστροφαῖς καὶ εὐσεβείαις; ποταπὴν ἀγάπην ὀφείλομεν κτήσασθαι; ποταπὴν ἀγωγήν; ποταπὴν πολιτείαν; ποταπὸν δρόμον; ὁποίαν ἀκρίβειαν ὁποίαν προσευχήν; ὁποίαν ἀσφάλειαν; Ταῦτα γὰρ, φησὶ, προσδοκῶντες, σπουδάσωμεν ἄσπιλοι καὶ ἀμώμητοι εὑρεθῆναι αὐτῷ ἐν εἰρήνῃ, ἵνα καταξιωθῶμεν αὐτοῦ ἀκοῦσαι λέγοντος· Δεῦτε, οἱ εὐλογημένοι τοῦ Πατρός μου, κληρονομήσατε τὴν κόσμου, εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Αμήν. ### English translation (Claude) The same abba Theophilus said, “What fear and trembling and anguish we shall see when the soul is separated from the body! For there comes to us an army and host of the opposing powers, the rulers of darkness, the world-rulers of wickedness, principalities and authorities, the spirits of wickedness; and in a kind of trial they hold the soul, bringing against it all its sins committed in knowledge and in ignorance, from youth to the age at which it was taken. So they stand accusing it of everything it has done. Then what trembling do you think the soul has at that hour, until the sentence goes out and its freedom comes? This is the hour of its anguish, until it sees what will become of it. And again the divine powers stand facing the opposing ones, and they too bring forward its good deeds. Consider, then, in what fear and trembling the soul stands in the middle, until its judgment receives sentence from the righteous Judge. And if it is worthy, they receive rebuke, and it is snatched away from them; and from then on you are free from care, or rather it dwells, as it is written, ‘As of all who rejoice is the dwelling in you.’ Then is fulfilled what is written, ‘Pain and grief and groaning have fled away’; then, set free, it goes into that unspeakable joy and glory in which it will be established. But if it is found to have lived in carelessness, it hears that most terrible voice: ‘Let the ungodly be taken away, that he may not see the glory of the Lord.’ Then the day of wrath takes hold of it, the day of affliction, the day of darkness and gloom. Handed over to the outer darkness and condemned to the eternal fire, it will be punished for endless ages. Then where is the boasting of the world? Where is vainglory? Where is luxury? Where is enjoyment? Where is display? Where is rest? Where is pomp? Where is wealth? Where is noble birth? Where is father? Where is mother? Where is brother? Who will be able to rescue from these the soul burning in the fire and held fast by bitter torments? Since these things are so, what sort of people ought we to be in holy conduct and godliness? What love ought we to acquire? What way of life? What conduct? What course? What exactness? What prayer? What vigilance? ‘For,’ he says, ‘since we wait for these things, let us be eager to be found by him spotless and blameless, in peace,’ so that we may be counted worthy to hear him say, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the … of the world,’ for ages of ages. Amen.” ### Scripture references - Eph 6:12: quotation, high confidence - Ps 87:7 (86:7 LXX): quotation, high confidence - Isa 35:10: quotation, high confidence - Isa 26:10: quotation, high confidence - Zeph 1:15: quotation, high confidence - Matt 25:41: allusion, medium confidence - Matt 8:12: allusion, medium confidence - 2 Pet 3:11: quotation, high confidence - 2 Pet 3:14: quotation, high confidence - Matt 25:34: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - A displaced line (“Then where is the boasting of the world? Where is vainglory?”) is moved back to the place where the list of questions begins, and a variant mark removed. Words are lost before “of the world” (in Matt 25:34: “the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation”); not supplied. Quotations: Eph 6:12; Ps 87:7 (LXX 86:7); Isa 35:10; Isa 26:10 (LXX); Zeph 1:15; 2 Pet 3:11, 14; Matt 25:34. The account of demonic accusers at death (the “toll” of the soul) is translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 41.4 (PG 65:199–201; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/41-4). ## Theophilus the archbishop 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-41-5 - Source: PG 65:201 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Dying, Theophilus calls Arsenius blessed for always remembering death. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἀββὰς Θεόφιλος ὁ ἀρχιεπίσκοπος, μέλλων τελευτᾶν, εἶπε· Μακάριος εἶ, ἀββᾶ Ἀρσένιε, ὅτὶ ταύτης ἀεὶ ἐμνημόνευες τῆς ὥρας. ### English translation (Claude) The same abba Theophilus the archbishop, when he was about to die, said, “You are blessed, abba Arsenius, because you always kept this hour in mind.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 41.5 (PG 65:201; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/41-5). ## Amma Theodora (unnumbered opening text) - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-42-0 - Source: PG 65:201 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Displaced words that complete the quotation at the end of the last saying of Theophilus. ### Greek text ἡτοιμασμένην ὑμῖν βασιλείαν ἀπὸ καταβολῆς ### English translation (Claude) … kingdom prepared for you from the foundation … ### Scripture references - Matt 25:34: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - These words stand in the scan before the first saying of amma Theodora. They are the words lost from the end of the preceding saying (41.4), completing Matt 25:34: “inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 42.0 (PG 65:201; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/42-0). ## Amma Theodora 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-42-1 - Source: PG 65:201 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theophilus explains “redeeming the time” as turning every insult into gain by patience. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ἡ Ἀμμᾶς Θεοδώρα τὸν Πάπαν Θεόφιλον τὸ ῥητὸν τοῦ Ἀποστόλου, τὸ, Τί ἐστι τὸν καιρὸν ἐξαγοραζόμενοι; Ὁ δὲ λέγει αὐτῇ· Ἡ ἐπωνυμία δεικνύει τὸ κέρδος· οἷον, καιρὸς ὕβρεώς σοι πάρεστιν; ἀγόρασον τῇ ταπεινοφροσύνῃ καὶ μακροθυμίᾳ τὸν τῆς ὕβρεως καιρὸν, καὶ ἕλκυσον κέρδος πρὸς ἑαυτόν· Καιρὸς ἀτιμίας; τῇ ἀνεξικακίᾳ ἀγόρασον τὸν καιρὸν, καὶ κέρδησον. Καὶ πάντα τὰ ἐναντία, ἐὰν θέλωμεν, κέρδη γίνονται ἡμῖν. ### English translation (Claude) Amma Theodora asked Pope Theophilus about the saying of the Apostle, “What is ‘redeeming the time’?” He says to her, “The name shows the gain. For example: has a time of insult come to you? Buy the time of insult with humility and patience, and draw profit to yourself. A time of dishonor? Buy the time with forbearance, and gain. And all adverse things, if we wish, become gain for us.” ### Scripture references - Eph 5:16: quotation, high confidence - Col 4:5: quotation, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Eph 5:16 (Col 4:5). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 42.1 (PG 65:201; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/42-1). ## Amma Theodora 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-42-2 - Source: PG 65:201 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodora teaches that this age is a winter of trials needed to bear fruit for the kingdom. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ἡ Ἀμμᾶς Θεοδώρα· Ἀγωνίσασθε εἰσελθεῖν διὰ τῆς στενῆς πύλης. Ὃν τρόπον γὰρ τὰ δένδρα, ἐὰν μὴ λάβωσι χειμῶνας καὶ ὑετοὺς, καρποφορεῖν οὐ δύνανται· οὕτως καὶ ἡμῖν, ὁ αἰὼν οὗτος χειμών ἐστι· καὶ ἐὰν μὴ διὰ πολλῶν θλίψεων καὶ πειρασμῶν, οὐ δυνησόμεθα τῆς βασιλείας τῶν οὐρανῶν γενέσθαι κληρονόμοι. ### English translation (Claude) Amma Theodora said, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate. For as trees cannot bear fruit unless they have winters and rains, so for us too this age is winter; and unless it is through many afflictions and temptations, we shall not be able to become heirs of the kingdom of heaven.” ### Scripture references - Luke 13:24: quotation, high confidence - Acts 14:22: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Luke 13:24; cf. Acts 14:22. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 42.2 (PG 65:201; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/42-2). ## Amma Theodora 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-42-3 - Source: PG 65:201 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodora warns that the devil attacks soul and body when one seeks stillness, and tells of a monk whose fever left when he prayed anyway. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Καλὸν τὸ ἡσυχάζειν· ἀνὴρ γὰρ φρόνιμος ἡσυχίαν ἄγει. Μέγα γὰρ ἀληθῶς παρθένῳ ἢ μοναχῷ, ἡσυχάζειν· μάλιστα δὲ τοῖς νέοις. Ἀλλὰ γίνωσκε, ὅτι προθῆται ἡσυχάσαι, εὐθέως ὁ πονηρὸς ἔρχεται καὶ βαρεῖ τὴν ψυχὴν, ἐν ἀκηδίαις, ἐν ὀλιγοψυχίαις, ἐν λογισμοῖς· βαρεῖ καὶ τὸ σῶμα, ἐν ἀσθενείαις, ἐν ἀτονίᾳ, ἐν λύσει γονάτων καὶ ὅλων τῶν μελῶν, καὶ λύει τὴν δύναμιν τῆς ψυχῆς καὶ τοῦ σώματος· καὶ ὅτι ἀσθενῶ καὶ οὐκ ἰσχύω βαλεῖν τὴν Σύναξιν. Ἀλλ' ἐὰν νήψωμεν, πάντα ταῦτα διαλύονται. Ἦν γάρ τις μοναχός· καὶ ὡς ἤρχετο βαλεῖν τὴν Σύναξιν, ἐλάμβανεν αὐτὸν ῥἴγος καὶ πυρετὸς, καὶ ἡ κεφαλὴ τόνῳ ὠχλεῖτο· καὶ οὕτως ἔλεγεν ἑαυτῷ, ὅτι Ἰδοὺ ἀσθενῶ, καὶ ἐνίοτε ἀποθνήσκω· ἐγερθῶ οὖν πρὶν ἀποθάνω, καὶ βάλω τὴν σύναξιν. Καὶ τῷ λογισμῷ τούτῳ ἐβιάζετο ἑαυτὸν, καὶ ἔβαλε τὴν Σύναξιν. καὶ ὡς κατέπαυεν ἡ σύναξις, κατέπαυε καὶ ὁ πυρετός. Καὶ πάλιν τούτῳ τῷ λογισμῷ ἀδελφὸς ἀνθέστηκε. καὶ ἔβαλε τὴν σύναξιν, καὶ ἐνίκησε τὸν λογισμόν ### English translation (Claude) She also said, “It is good to live in stillness; for a sensible man keeps quiet. Truly it is a great thing for a virgin or a monk to live in stillness, especially for the young. But know that as soon as one intends to live in stillness, the evil one at once comes and weighs down the soul with listlessness, faint-heartedness, and thoughts; he weighs down the body too with sicknesses, weakness, slackening of the knees and of all the limbs, and he undoes the strength of soul and body, so that one says, ‘I am ill and not strong enough to say the office.’ But if we keep watch, all these things are dissolved. For there was a monk, and whenever he came to say the office, chills and fever seized him, and his head was racked with pain; and so he said to himself, ‘Look, I am ill, and perhaps I am dying; so let me get up before I die and say the office.’ And by this thought he forced himself and said the office. And when the office ended, the fever ended too. And again by this thought the brother resisted, and said the office, and overcame the thought.” ### Scripture references - Prov 11:12: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - “A sensible man keeps quiet”: Prov 11:12 (LXX). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 42.3 (PG 65:201; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/42-3). ## Amma Theodora 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-42-4 - Source: PG 65:201–203 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodora tells of a man restrained by God’s law from returning insults, and of a Christian’s answer to a Manichaean about the body. ### Greek text Ἔλεγε πάλιν ἡ αὐτὴ Ἀμμᾶς Θεοδώρα, ὅτι Ποτέ τις εὐλαβὴς ὑβρίζετο παρὰ τινός· καὶ λέγει πρὸς αὐτόν· Ἠδυνάμην κἀγὼ τὰ ὅμοιά σοι λέγειν· ἀλλ᾽ ὁ νόμος τοῦ Θεοῦ κλείει μου τὸ στόμα. Ἔλεγε δὲ καὶ τοῦτο, ὅτι Χριστιανός τις, μετὰ Μανιχαίου διαλεγόμενος περὶ τοῦ σώματος, εἶπεν οὕτως· Δὸς τὸν νόμον τῷ σώματι, καὶ ὄψει τὸ σῶμα τῷ πλάσαντι. ### English translation (Claude) The same amma Theodora said again that once a devout man was insulted by someone, and he says to him, “I too could say similar things to you; but the law of God shuts my mouth.” And she also said this: that a Christian, discussing the body with a Manichaean, spoke thus: “Give the body a law, and you will see that the body belongs to the one who formed it.” ### Translation notes - Two stray lines (on enduring false accusation “with patience and hope”) and a variant note are removed. The Manichaeans held the body to be the work of evil; the Christian’s answer is that the body, disciplined, shows it is God’s creature. The last phrase is translated by sense (the scan has τῷ πλάσαντι). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 42.4 (PG 65:201–203; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/42-4). ## Amma Theodora 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-42-5 - Source: PG 65:203 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theodora describes the true teacher; then demons confess that only humility defeats them. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν ἡ αὐτὴ, ὅτι ὁ διδάσκαλος ὀφείλει εἶναι ξένος φιλαρχίας, καὶ ἀλλότριος κενοδοξίας, μακρὰν ὑπερηφανίας, μὴ ὑπὸ κολακείας ἐμπαιζόμενος, μὴ ὑπὸ δώρων τυφλούμενος, μὴ ὑπὸ γαστρὸς νικώμενος, μὴ ὑπὸ ὀργῆς κρατούμενος· ἀλλὰ μακρόθυμος, ἐπιεικής, πάσῃ δυνάμει ταπεινόφρων· ἔγκριτος εἶναι καὶ ἀνεκτικός· κηδεμονικὸς καὶ φιλόψυχος. σ'. Ἔλεγε πάλιν ἡ αὐτὴ, ὅτι οὐκ ἄσκησις, οὔτε ἀγρυπνία, οὔτε παντοῖος πόνος σώζει· εἰ μὴ γνησία ταπεινοφροσύνη. Ἦν γάρ τις ἀναχωρητὴς ἀπελαύνων δαίμονας· καὶ ἐξήταζεν αὐτούς· Ἐν τίνι ἐξέρχεσθε; ἐν νηστείᾳ; Καὶ ἔλεγον· Ἡμεῖς οὔτε ἐσθίομεν, οὔτε πίνομεν. Ἐν ἀγρυπνίᾳ; Καὶ ἔλεγον· Ἡμεῖς οὐ κοιμώμεθα. Ἐν ἀναχωρήσει Ἡμεῖς εἰς τὰς ἐρήμους διάγομεν. Ἐν τίνι οὖν ἐξέρχεσθε; Καὶ ἔλεγον, ὅτι Οὐδὲν ἡμᾶς νικᾷ, εἰ μὴ ταπεινοφροσύνη. Ὁρᾷς ὅτι ἡ ταπεινοφροσύνη νικητήριόν ἐστι δαιμόνων; ### English translation (Claude) The same said again that the teacher ought to be a stranger to the love of power, a foreigner to vainglory, far from pride; not mocked by flattery, not blinded by gifts, not conquered by the belly, not mastered by anger; but patient, gentle, humble with all his strength; tested and forbearing, caring and a lover of souls. [6] The same said again that neither asceticism nor vigil nor every kind of labor saves, but only genuine humility. For there was an anchorite who drove out demons; and he questioned them: “By what do you come out? By fasting?” And they said, “We neither eat nor drink.” “By vigil?” And they said, “We do not sleep.” “By withdrawal?” “We live in the deserts.” “Then by what do you come out?” And they said, “Nothing conquers us except humility.” Do you see that humility is victory over demons? ### Translation notes - The scan runs Theodora 6 (numbered in the print) into this saying; marked [6]. Variant notes are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 42.5 (PG 65:203; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/42-5). ## Amma Theodora 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/37-1/#p-42-7 - Source: PG 65:203 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A monk who leaves to escape temptation sees the tempter putting on sandals to follow him. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν ἡ Ἀμμᾶς Θεοδώρα, ὅτι ἦν τις μοναχός· καὶ ἀπὸ πλήθους τῶν πειρασμῶν λέγει· Ὑπάγω ἔνθεν. Καὶ ὡς ἔβαλεν ἑαυτοῦ τὰ σανδάλια, ὁρᾷ ἄνθρωπον ἄλλον βάλλοντα και αὐτὸν τὰ σανδάλια αὐτοῦ, καὶ λέγοντα αὐτῷ· Οὐ δι' ἐμὲ ἐξέρχῃ; ἰδοὺ ἐγώ σε προάγω ὅπου ἐὰν ἀπέρχῃ. ### English translation (Claude) Amma Theodora said again that there was a monk who, because of the great number of his temptations, says, “I am going away from here.” And as he put on his sandals, he sees another man also putting on his sandals, and saying to him, “Is it not because of me that you are leaving? Look, I go ahead of you wherever you go.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 42.7 (PG 65:203; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/42-7). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-1 - Source: PG 65:203 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John the Dwarf waters a dry stick for three years until it bears the fruit of obedience. ### Greek text Διηγήσαντο περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰωάννου τοῦ κολοβοῦ, ὅτι ἀναχωρήσας πρὸς Θηβαῖον γέροντα εἰς Σκῆτιν, ἐκάθητο ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ. Λαβὼν δὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς αὐτοῦ ξύλον ξηρὸν, ἐφύτευσε καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Καθ' ἡμέραν πότιζε τοῦτο λαγύνιον ὕδατος, ἕως καρπὸν ποιήσει. Ἦν δὲ μακρὰν ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν τὸ ὕδωρ, ὡς ἀπὸ ὀψὲ ἀπελθεῖν καὶ ἐλθεῖν πρωΐ. Μετὰ δὲ τρία ἔτη, ἔζησε καὶ καρπὸν ἐποίησε· καὶ λαβὼν ὁ γέρων τὸν καρπὸν αὐτοῦ, ἤνεγκεν εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, λέγων τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς· Λάβετε, φάγετε καρπὸν ὑπακοῆς. ### English translation (Claude) They related of abba John the Dwarf that he withdrew to a Theban old man at Scetis and lived in the desert. His abba took a dry stick, planted it, and said to him, “Water this every day with a jar of water until it bears fruit.” The water was far from them, so that he had to leave in the evening and return in the morning. After three years it came to life and bore fruit; and the old man took its fruit and brought it to the church, saying to the brothers, “Take, eat the fruit of obedience.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.1 (PG 65:203; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-2 - Source: PG 65:203–205 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John tries to live like an angel without work and is taught by his brother that a man must work to eat. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰωάννου τοῦ κολοβοῦ, ὅτι εἶπέ ποτε τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ τῷ μειζοτέρῳ· Ἤθελον ἀμέριμνος εἶναι, ὡς οἱ ἄγγελοι ἀμέριμνοί εἰσι, μηδὲν ἐργαζόμενοι, ἀλλ' ἀδιαλείπτως λατρεύοντες τῷ Θεῷ. Καὶ ἀποδυσάμενος τὸ ἱμάτιον, ἐξῆλθεν εἰς τὴν ἔρημον· καὶ ποιήσας ἑβδομάδα μίαν ἀνέκαμψε πρὸς τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ὡς ἔκρουσε τὴν θύραν, ὑπήκουσεν αὐτῷ πρὶν ἀνοίξει, λέγων· Σὺ τίς εἶ; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ἐγώ εἰμι Ἰωάννης ὁ ἀδελφός σου. Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἰωάννης γέγονεν ἄγγελος, καὶ οὐκ ἔτι ἐν ἀνθρώποις ἐστίν. Ὁ δὲ παρεκάλει, λέγων· Ἐγώ εἰμι. Καὶ οὐκ ἤνοιξεν αὐτῷ, ἀλλ᾽ ἀφῆκεν αὐτὸν ἕως πρωΐ θλίβεσθαι· ὕστερον δὲ ἀνοίξας αὐτῷ, λέγει· Ἄνθρωπος εἶ, χρείαν ἔχεις πάλιν ἐργάζεσθαι ἵνα τραφῆς. Καὶ ἔβαλε μετάνοιαν, λέγων· Συγχώρησόν μοι. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba John the Dwarf that he once said to his elder brother, “I would like to be free of care as the angels are free of care, doing no work but serving God unceasingly.” And taking off his cloak, he went out into the desert; and after spending a week he came back to his brother. When he knocked on the door, his brother answered before opening, saying, “Who are you?” He said, “I am John, your brother.” And he answered him, “John has become an angel and is no longer among men.” He begged him, saying, “It is I.” But he did not open to him, and left him in distress until morning; and afterward, opening to him, he says, “You are a man; you need to work again to be fed.” And he made a prostration, saying, “Forgive me.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.2 (PG 65:203–205; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-2). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-3 - Source: PG 65:205 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Fasting starves the passions as a besieging king starves a city. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης ὁ κολοβός, ὅτι ἐὰν θελήσῃ βασιλεὺς πόλιν παραλαβεῖν ἐχθρῶν, τὸ ὕδωρ πρῶτον κρατεῖ καὶ τὴν τροφὴν, καὶ οὕτως οἱ ἐχθροὶ ἐκ τοῦ λιμοῦ ἀπολλύμενοι ὑποτάσσονται αὐτῷ. Οὕτως καὶ τὰ πάθη τῆς σαρκός· ἐὰν ἐν νηστείᾳ καὶ λιμῷ πολιτεύσηται ἄνθρωπος, οἱ ἐχθροὶ ἐξασθενοῦσιν ἀπὸ τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba John the Dwarf said that if a king wants to take a city of enemies, he first controls the water and the food, and so the enemies, perishing from hunger, submit to him. So it is with the passions of the flesh: if a man lives in fasting and hunger, the enemies weaken in his soul. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.3 (PG 65:205; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-3). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-4 - Source: PG 65:205 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John warns that satiety and familiar talk with a boy already amount to sin in thought. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι ὁ χορταζόμενος καὶ λαλῶν μετὰ παιδίου, ἤδη ἐπόρνευσε τῷ λογισμῷ μετ' αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said that one who eats his fill and talks with a boy has already committed sexual immorality with him in his thought. ### Scripture references - Matt 5:28: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The saying warns monks against the temptation of attraction to boys; translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.4 (PG 65:205; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-4). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-5 - Source: PG 65:205 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John abandons his goods and flees rather than be provoked to anger. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Ἀνερχόμενός ποτε τὴν ὁδὸν τῆς Σκήτεως μετὰ τῆς σειρᾶς, εἶδον τὸν καμηλίτην λαλοῦντα, καὶ κινοῦντά με εἰς ὀργήν· καὶ ἐάσας τὰ σκεύη, ἔφυγον. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Once as I was going up the road of Scetis with my rope, I saw the camel driver talking and moving me to anger; and leaving my goods, I fled.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.5 (PG 65:205; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-5). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-6 - Source: PG 65:205 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hearing anger at the harvest, John leaves the work and flees. ### Greek text "Αλλοτε πάλιν εἰς τὸ θέρος, ἤκουσεν ἀδελφοῦ λαλοῦντος τῷ πλησίον μετ᾿ ὀργῆς, καὶ λέγοντος, Αἷ, καὶ σύ; Καὶ ἑάσας τὸν θερισμὸν, ἔφυγεν. ### English translation (Claude) Another time, at harvest, he heard a brother speaking angrily to his neighbor and saying, “Ha, you too?” And leaving the harvest, he fled. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.6 (PG 65:205; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-6). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-7 - Source: PG 65:205 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John alone accepts water from a great presbyter so as not to deprive him of his reward. ### Greek text Εὐκαίρησάν τινες γέροντες εἰς Σκῆτιν ἐσθίοντες μετ᾿ ἀλλήλων· ἦν δὲ μετ᾿ αὐτῶν καὶ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης. Καὶ ἀνέστη τις πρεσβύτερος μέγας δοῦναι τὸ καυκάλιον τοῦ νεροῦ· καὶ οὐδεὶς κατεδέξατο λαβεῖν αὐτὸ παρ' αὐτοῦ, εἰ μὴ μόνος Ἰωάννης ὁ κολοβός. Ἐθαύμασαν οὖν, καὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ· Πῶς σὺ μικρότερος ὅλως ὢν, ἐτόλμησας ὑπηρετηθῆναι παρὰ τοῦ πρεσβυτέρου; Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ἐγὼ ὅτε ἐγείρομαι δοῦναι τὸ βαυκάλιον, χαίρω ἐὰν πάντες λάβωσιν, ἵνα ἔχω μισθόν· κἀγὼ οὖν διὰ τοῦτο ἐδεξάμην, ἵνα ποιήσω αὐτῷ μισθόν· μήπως λυπηθῇ, ὡς μηδενὸς δεξαμένου παρ' αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ταῦτα αὐτοῦ εἰπόντος, ἐθαύμασαν, καὶ ὠφελήθησαν ἐπὶ τῇ διακρίσει αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Some old men happened to be at Scetis eating together, and abba John was with them. And a great presbyter got up to give the jug of water; and no one would accept it from him except John the Dwarf alone. So they marveled and said to him, “How did you, the very youngest, dare to be served by the presbyter?” And he says to them, “When I get up to give the jug, I am glad if everyone accepts, so that I may have a reward; so I accepted for this reason, to give him a reward, lest he be grieved that no one accepted from him.” When he said this, they marveled and were helped by his discernment. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.7 (PG 65:205; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-7). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-8 - Source: PG 65:205 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Accused of being full of poison, John agrees and says his inside is worse still. ### Greek text Καθημένου αὐτοῦ ποτε ἔμπροσθεν τῆς ἐκκλησίας, ἐκύκλωσαν αὐτὸν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ, καὶ ἐξήταζον αὐτὸν τοὺς λογισμοὺς αὐτῶν. Καὶ ἰδών τις τῶν γερόντων, καὶ πολεμηθεὶς εἰς φθόνον, λέγει αὐτῷ· Τὸ βαυκάλιόν σου, Ἰωάννη, φάρμακον γέμει. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης· Οὕτως ἐστὶν, ἀββᾶ· καὶ τοῦτο εἶπας, ὅτι τὰ ἔξω βλέπεις μόνον· εἰ δὲ ἔβλεπες τὰ ἔσω, τί εἶχες εἰπεῖν; ### English translation (Claude) Once when he was sitting in front of the church, the brothers surrounded him and were consulting him about their thoughts. And one of the old men, seeing it and attacked by envy, says to him, “Your jug is full of poison, John.” Abba John says to him, “It is so, abba; and you say this because you see only the outside; if you saw the inside, what would you have to say?” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.8 (PG 65:205; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-8). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-9 - Source: PG 65:205–207 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John weeps at a brother who laughed at a love-feast. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον οἱ Πατέρες, ὅτι ἐσθιόντων ποτὲ τῶν ἀδελφῶν ἐν ἀγάπῃ, ἐγέλασεν εἷς ἀδελφὸς ἐπὶ τῆς τραπέζης. Καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης, ἔκλαυσε, λέγων· Τί ἄρα ἔχει ὁ ἀδελφὸς οὗτος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἐγέλασεν, ὀφείλων μᾶλλον κλαῦσαι, ὅτι ἀγάπην ἐσθίει; ### English translation (Claude) The Fathers said that once when the brothers were eating at a love-feast, one brother laughed at table. And when abba John saw him, he wept, saying, “What can this brother have in his heart, that he laughed, when he ought rather to weep, because he is eating at a love-feast?” ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.9 (PG 65:205–207; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-9). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-10 - Source: PG 65:207 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John turns talk of rain and palm shoots into a word about the Holy Spirit renewing hearts. ### Greek text Ἦλθόν ποτέ τινες τῶν ἀδελφῶν πειράσαι αὐτόν· ὅτι οὐκ ἤφιε τὸν λογισμὸν αὐτοῦ ῥεμβασθῆναι, οὐδὲ ἐλάλει πρᾶγμα τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου· καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Εὐχαριστοῦμεν τῷ Θεῷ, ὅτι ἔβρεξεν ἐπ᾿ ἔτος πολλά, καὶ ἔπιον οἱ φοίνικες, καὶ ἐκβάλλουσι λευκάδας, καὶ εὑρίσκουσιν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ τὸ ἐργόχειρον αὐτῶν. Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης· Οὕτως ἐστὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον· ὅταν καταβῇ εἰς τὰς καρδίας τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἀνανεοῦνται, καὶ ἐκβάλλουσι λευκάδας ἐν τῷ φόβῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Once some of the brothers came to test him, because he did not let his thought wander, nor speak of any matter of this age; and they say to him, “We thank God that it rained a great deal this year, and the palms have drunk and are putting out shoots, and the brothers are finding their handiwork.” Abba John says to them, “So it is with the Holy Spirit: when he comes down into the hearts of men, they are renewed and put out shoots in the fear of God.” ### Translation notes - A displaced line belonging to the end of the next saying (“his thought being occupied with contemplation”) is moved there. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.10 (PG 65:207; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-10). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-11 - Source: PG 65:207 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Absorbed in contemplation, John sewed two baskets’ worth of rope into one. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἔπλεξέ ποτε σειρὰν δύο σπυρίδων, καὶ ἔῤῥαψεν αὐτὴν μίαν σπυρίδα, καὶ οὐκ ἐνόησεν, ἕως προσήγγισε τῷ τοίχῳ. Ἦν γὰρ ὁ λογισμὸς αὐτοῦ σχολάζων τῇ θεωρίᾳ. ### English translation (Claude) They said of him that once he plaited rope for two baskets and sewed it into one basket, and did not notice until he reached the wall. For his thought was occupied with contemplation. ### Translation notes - The end of the sentence is displaced in the scan to the end of the previous saying (43.10) and is restored here. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.11 (PG 65:207; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-11). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-12 - Source: PG 65:207 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John flees to God in prayer as a man climbs a tree to escape beasts. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης, ὅτι Ὅμοιός εἰμι ἀνθρώπῳ καθημένῳ ὑποκάτω δένδρου μεγάλου, καὶ θεωροῦντι θηρία πολλὰ καὶ ἑρπετὰ ἐρχόμενα πρὸς αὐτόν· καὶ ὅταν μὴ δυνηθῇ στῆναι κατ' αὐτῶν, τρέχει ἄνω εἰς τὸ δένδρον, καὶ σώζεται. Οὕτως κἀγώ· καθέζομαι ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ μου, καὶ θεωρῶ τοὺς πονηροὺς λογισμοὺς ἐπάνω μου· καὶ ὅτε μὴ ἰσχύσω πρὸς αὐτοὺς, καταφεύγω πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν διὰ τῆς προσευχῆς, καὶ σώζομαι ἐκ τοῦ ἐχθροῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba John said, “I am like a man sitting under a great tree, who sees many wild beasts and reptiles coming toward him; and when he cannot stand against them, he runs up into the tree and is saved. So it is with me: I sit in my cell and see the evil thoughts coming upon me; and when I am not strong enough against them, I flee to God by prayer, and I am saved from the enemy.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.12 (PG 65:207; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-12). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 13 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-13 - Source: PG 65:207 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Freed from temptation, John is told to pray for the battle to return, since the soul grows through it. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰωάννου τοῦ κολοβοῦ, ὅτι παρεκάλεσε τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ ἤρθη τὰ πάθη ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ, καὶ γέγονεν ἀμέριμνος. Καὶ ἀπελθὼν, εἶπέ τινι γέροντι· Ὁρῶ ἐμαυτὸν ἀναπαυόμενον, καὶ μηδένα πόλεμον ἔχοντα. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ὕπαγε, παρακάλεσον τὸν Θεὸν, ὥστε τὸν πόλεμόν σοι ἐλθεῖν, καὶ ἣν εἶχες πρότερον συντριβὴν καὶ ταπείνωσιν· διὰ γὰρ τῶν πολέμων προκόπτει ἡ ψυχή. Παρεκάλεσεν οὖν, καὶ ἐλθόντος τοῦ πολέμου, οὐκ ἔτι εὔξατο ἀρθῆναι αὐτὸν ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ, ἀλλ᾽ ἔλεγε· Δός μοι, Κύριε, ὑπομονὴν ἐν τοῖς πολέμοις. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said of abba John the Dwarf that he prayed to God and the passions were taken away from him, and he became free from care. And he went and said to an old man, “I find myself at rest and having no war.” And the old man says to him, “Go, pray to God that the war may come to you, and the contrition and humility you had before; for it is through wars that the soul makes progress.” So he prayed, and when the war came, he no longer prayed that it be taken away from him, but said, “Lord, give me endurance in the wars.” ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.13 (PG 65:207; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-13). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 14 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-14 - Source: PG 65:207 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A vision of monks crossing the sea on wings shows that the present generation receives only weak wings. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης, ὅτι εἶδέ τις τῶν γερόντων ἐν ἐκστάσει· Καὶ ἰδοὺ τρεῖς μοναχοὶ ἕστηκαν πέραν τῆς θαλάσσης· καὶ ἐγένετο φωνὴ πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἐκ τοῦ ἄλλου πέραν λέγουσα· Λάβετε πτερὰ πυρὸς, καὶ δεῦτε πρὸς μέ. Καὶ οἱ μὲν δύο ἔλαβον, καὶ ἐπετάσθησαν εἰς τὸ ἄλλο πέραν· ὁ δὲ ἄλλος ἔμεινε, καὶ ἔκλαιε σφόδρα καὶ ἔκραζεν. Ὕστερον δὲ ἐδόθησαν καὶ αὐτῷ πτερὰ, οὐ μέντοι πυρὸς, ἀλλ᾽ ἀσθενῆ καὶ ἀδύναμα· καὶ μετὰ καμάτου καταποντιζόμενος καὶ ἀνιστάμενος, μετὰ θλίψεως πολλῆς ἦλθεν εἰς τὸ πέραν. Οὕτως καὶ ἡ γενεὰ αὕτη, εἰ καὶ λαμβάνει πτερὰ, οὐ μέντοι πυρὸς, ἀλλὰ μόλις ἀσθενῆ καὶ ἀδύναμα λαμβάνει. ### English translation (Claude) Abba John said that one of the old men saw in ecstasy: and look, three monks were standing on the shore of the sea; and a voice came to them from the other shore, saying, “Take wings of fire and come to me.” Two of them took them and flew to the other shore; but the third stayed and wept greatly and cried out. Afterward wings were given to him too, not of fire, but weak and powerless; and with labor, sinking and rising again, with much affliction he came to the other shore. So too this generation: even if it receives wings, they are not of fire, but it barely receives weak and powerless ones. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.14 (PG 65:207; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-14). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 15 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-15 - Source: PG 65:207–209 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John’s parable of two naked wives shows the slanderer condemning others while more exposed himself. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰωάννην, λέγων· Πῶς ἡ ψυχή μου ἔχουσα τραύματα, οὐκ αἰσχύνεται καταλαλεῖν τοῦ πλησίον; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων παραβολὴν διὰ τὴν καταλαλιάν· "Ανθρωπός τις ἦν πτωχός, καὶ εἶχε γυναῖκα εἶδε δὲ καὶ ἄλλην πιθανὴν, καὶ ἔλαβε ταύτην· ἦσαν δὲ ἀμφότεραι γυμναί. Γενομένης δὲ πανηγύρεως ἐν τινὶ τόπῳ, παρεκάλεσαν αὐτὸν λέγουσαι· Ἆρον ἡμᾶς μετὰ σοῦ. Καὶ λαβὼν τὰς δύο, ἔβαλεν εἰς πίθον· καὶ ἐμβὰς εἰς πλοῖον, ἦλθεν εἰς τὸν τόπον. Ὅτε δὲ γέγονε καῦμα, καὶ ἡσύχασαν οἱ ἄνθρωποι, ἀναβλέψασα ἡ μία, καὶ μηδένα ἰδοῦσα, ἐξεπήδησεν εἰς τὴν κοπρίαν, καὶ συνάξασα παλαιά ῥάκη, ἐποίησεν ἑαυτῇ περίζωμα, καὶ λοιπὸν μετὰ παρρησίας περιεπάτει. Ἡ δὲ ἄλλη ἔσω καθημένη γυμνή, ἔλεγεν Ἰδοὺ αὕτη ἡ πόρνη οὐκ αἰσχύνεται περιπατοῦσα γυμνή. Διαπονηθεὶς δὲ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς εἶπεν· Ὦ θαῦμα· αὕτη κἂν σκέπει τὴν ἀσχημοσύνην αὐτῆς· σὺ δὲ ὅλη γυμνὴ εἶ, καὶ ταῦτα οὐκ αἰσχύνῃ λαλοῦσα Οὕτως ἐστὶ καὶ τὸ τῆς καταλαλιᾶς. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba John, saying, “How is it that my soul, though it has wounds, is not ashamed to slander my neighbor?” The old man told him a parable about slander: “There was a poor man who had a wife; and he saw another, attractive one, and took her too; and both were naked. When a festival was held in a certain place, they begged him, saying, ‘Take us with you.’ And taking the two, he put them in a jar; and boarding a boat, he came to the place. When it became hot and people were resting, one of them peeped out, and seeing no one, she jumped out onto the rubbish heap, gathered old rags, made herself a loincloth, and then walked about confidently. But the other, sitting inside naked, said, ‘Look, this harlot is not ashamed to walk about naked!’ Her husband, vexed, said, ‘What a marvel! She at least covers her shame; but you are entirely naked, and you are not ashamed to say these things!’ So it is with slander.” ### Scripture references - Matt 7:3: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The parable is told as written; the man’s taking a second wife is part of the story, not a teaching on marriage. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.15 (PG 65:207–209; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-15). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 16 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-16 - Source: PG 65:209 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John’s parable of a reformed prostitute who shuts out her old lovers pictures the repentant soul fleeing to Christ. ### Greek text Ἔλεγε δὲ πάλιν τῷ ἀδελφῷ ὁ γέρων περὶ τῆς ψυχῆς τῆς θελούσης μετανοῆσαι· Πόρνη ἦν ὡραῖα ἐν τινὶ πόλει, καὶ πολλοὺς φίλους εἶχεν. Ἐλθὼν δὲ πρὸς αὐτὴν εἷς ἄρχων, εἶπεν αὐτῇ Σύνθου μοι σωφρονεῖν, κἀγώ σε λαμβάνω εἰς γυναῖκα. Ἡ δὲ συνέθετο αὐτῷ. Καὶ λαβὼν αὐτὴν ἀπήγαγεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ. Οἱ δὲ φίλοι αὐτῆς, ζητοῦντες αὐτὴν, ἔλεγον· Ὁ δεῖνα ὁ ἄρχων ἔλαβεν αὐτὴν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ· ἐὰν οὖν ἀπέλθωμεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ, καὶ μάθῃ, τιμωρεῖται ἡμᾶς. Ἀλλὰ δεῦτε ὀπίσω τῆς οἰκίας, καὶ συρίσωμεν αὐτῇ καὶ γνωρίζουσα τὴν φωνὴν τοῦ συριγμοῦ, καταβαίνει πρὸς ἡμᾶς, καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀναίτιοι εὑρισκόμεθα. Ακούσασα οὖν τοῦ συριγμοῦ, ἐσφράγισε" τὰ ὦτα αὐτῆς, καὶ εἰσεπήδησεν εἰς τὸν ἐνδότερον κοιτῶνα, καὶ ἔκλεισε τὰς θύρας. Ἔλεγε δὲ, τὴν πόρνην εἶναι τὴν ψυχὴν· οἱ δὲ φίλοι αὐτῆς εἰσι τὰ πάθη καὶ οἱ ἄνθρωποι· ὁ δὲ ἄρχων ἐστὶν ὁ Χριστός· ἡ δὲ οἰκία ἡ ἐσωτέρα ἐστὶν ἡ αἰωνία μονή. Οἱ δὲ συρίζοντες αὐτῇ εἰσιν οἱ πονηροὶ δαίμονες· αὐτὴ δὲ διαπαντὸς φεύγει πρὸς τὸν Κύριον. ### English translation (Claude) The old man also told the brother about the soul that wants to repent: “There was a beautiful prostitute in a city, and she had many lovers. A magistrate came to her and said to her, ‘Promise me to live chastely, and I will take you as my wife.’ She promised him. And taking her, he brought her into his house. Her lovers, looking for her, said, ‘That magistrate has taken her into his house; if we go to his house and he finds out, he will punish us. But come, let us go behind the house and whistle to her; and recognizing the sound of the whistle, she will come down to us, and we shall be found blameless.’ But when she heard the whistle, she stopped her ears, ran into the inner chamber, and shut the doors.” He said that the prostitute is the soul; her lovers are the passions and men; the magistrate is Christ; the inner house is the eternal dwelling; those who whistle to her are the evil demons; but she always flees to the Lord. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.16 (PG 65:209; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-16). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 17 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-17 - Source: PG 65:209–211 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John feigns illness to spare a lost guide’s shame; then (saying 18) he cures a forgetful monk by patience, likening himself to a lamp that lights others. ### Greek text Ἀναβαίνοντός ποτε τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰωάννου ἀπὸ Σκήτεως μετ' ἄλλων ἀδελφῶν, ἐπλανήθη ὁ ὁδηγῶν αὐτοὺς· ἦν γὰρ νύξ. Καὶ λέγουσιν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ τῷ ἀββᾶ Ἰωάννῃ· Τί ποιήσομεν, άββᾶ, ὅτι ἐπλανήθη ὁ ἀδελφὸς τὴν ὁδὸν, μήπως ἀποθάνωμεν πλανώμενοι; Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Ἐὰν εἴπωμεν αὐτῷ, λυπεῖται καὶ αἰσχύνεται. Ἀλλ᾿ ἰδοὺ ποιῶ ἐμαυτὸν ἀσθενοῦντα, καὶ λέγω, Οὐ δύναμαι ὁδεῦσαι, ἀλλὰ μένω ὧδε ἕως πρωΐ. Καὶ ἐποίησεν οὕτως. Οἱ δὲ λοιποί εἶπον· Οὐδὲ ἡμεῖς ὑπάγομεν, ἀλλὰ καθήμεθα μετὰ σοῦ. Καὶ ἐκάθισαν ἕως πρωΐ· καὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν οὐκ ἐσκανδάλισαν. τη΄. Γέρων τις ἦν ἐν Σκήτει, πονικὸς μὲν ἐν τῷ σωματικῷ, οὐκ ἀκριβὴς δὲ ἐν τοῖς λογισμοῖς. Ἀπῆλθεν οὖν πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰωάννην, ἐρωτῆσαι αὐτὸν περὶ τῆς λήθης· καὶ ἀκούσας παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ λόγον, ὑπέστρεψεν εἰς τὴν κέλλαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπελάθετο ὃ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης. Καὶ ἀπῆλθε πάλιν ἐρωτῆσαι αὐτόν· ἀκούσας δὲ παρ' αὐτοῦ ὁμοίως τὸν λόγον, ὑπέστρεψεν. Ὡς δὲ ἔφθασε τὸ ἴδιον κελλίον πάλιν ἐπελάθετο, καὶ οὕτω δὲ πλειστάκις ἀπερχόμενος, ἐν τῷ ὑποστρέφειν κατακυριεύετο ὑπὸ τῆς λήθης. Μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα ἀπαντήσας τῷ γέροντι, εἶπεν· Οἶδας, ἀββᾶ, ὅτι ἐπελαθόμην πάλιν ὅ μοι εἴρηκας; ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα μὴ ὀχλήσω σοι, οὐκ ἦλθον Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης Ὕπαγε, ἄψον λύχνον. Καὶ ἦψεν. Εἶπε καὶ αὐτῷ πάλιν· Φέρε ἄλλους λύχνους, καὶ ἅψον ἐξ αὐτοῦ. Ἐποίησε δὲ ὁμοίως. Καὶ εἶπεν ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης τῷ γέροντι· Μή τί ποτε ἐβλάβη ὁ λύχνος, ὅτι ἀνήψας ἐξ αὐτοῦ τοὺς ἄλλους λύχνους; Λέγει· Οὐχί. Εἶπε δὲ ὁ γέρων· Οὕτως οὐδὲ Ἰωάννης· ἐὰν ἡ Σκῆτις ἔρχηται πρὸς μὲ ὅλη, οὐ μή με ἐμποδίσει ἀπὸ τῆς χάριτος τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Τοίνυν, ὅτε θέλεις, ἔρχου, μηδὲν διακρινόμενος. Καὶ οὕτω δι᾽ ὑπομονῆς ἀμφοτέρων, ἦρε τὴν λήθην ὁ Θεὸς ἀπὸ τοῦ γέροντος. Αὕτη δὲ ἦν ἐργασία τῶν Σκητιωτῶν, διδόναι προθυμίαν τοῖς πολεμουμένοις· καὶ βιαζομένους ἑαυτοὺς εἰς τὸ κερδῆσαι ἀλλήλους εἰς τὸ ἀγαθόν. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba John was going up from Scetis with other brothers, and the one guiding them lost the way, for it was night. And the brothers say to abba John, “What shall we do, abba, since the brother has lost the way? Are we to die wandering?” The old man says to them, “If we tell him, he will be grieved and ashamed. But look, I will pretend to be ill and say, ‘I cannot walk, but I will stay here until morning.’” And he did so. And the others said, “We will not go on either, but will sit with you.” And they sat until morning; and they did not offend the brother. [18] There was an old man at Scetis, hard-working in the body but not exact in his thoughts. So he went to abba John to ask him about forgetfulness; and hearing a word from him, he returned to his cell and forgot what abba John had said to him. And he went again to ask him; and hearing the word from him likewise, he returned. When he reached his own cell, he forgot again; and so, going many times, on the way back he was overcome by forgetfulness. After this, meeting the old man, he said, “Do you know, abba, that I forgot again what you told me? But so as not to trouble you, I did not come.” Abba John says to him, “Go, light a lamp.” And he lit it. He said to him again, “Bring other lamps and light them from it.” He did so. And abba John said to the old man, “Was the lamp harmed at all because you lit the other lamps from it?” He says, “No.” And the old man said, “So neither is John; even if all Scetis comes to me, it will not hinder me from the grace of Christ. So whenever you want, come, without hesitating.” And so, through the patience of both, God took the forgetfulness away from the old man. This was the work of the monks of Scetis: to give encouragement to those under attack, and to force themselves to win one another to the good. ### Translation notes - The scan runs John 18 (τηʹ) into this saying; marked [18]. A variant note is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.17 (PG 65:209–211; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-17). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 19 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-19 - Source: PG 65:211 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John counsels a weak brother to help others only if he can return unharmed, like Caleb. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ἀδελφὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰωάννην, λέγων· Τί ποιήσω; ὅτι πολλάκις ἔρχεται ἀδελφὸς λαβεῖν με εἰς ἔργον, καὶ ἐγὼ ταλαίπωρός εἰμι καὶ ἀσθενὴς, καὶ κοπιῶ εἰς τὸ πρᾶγμα· τί οὖν ποιήσω διὰ τὴν ἐντολήν; Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ γέρων εἶπε· Χάλεβ εἶπε τῷ Ἰησοῦ υἱῷ Ναυῆ· Τεσσαράκοντα ἐτῶν ἤμην, ὅτε ἀπέστειλε Μωϋσῆς ὁ δοῦλος Κυρίου ἐκ τῆς ἐρήμου ἐμὲ καὶ σὲ εἰς τὴν γῆν ταύτην· καὶ νῦν εἰμι ἐτῶν ὀγδοήκοντα πέντε. Ως τότε ἤμην, καὶ νῦν ἰσχύω εἰσελθεῖν καὶ ἐξελθεῖν εἰς τὸν πόλεμον· ὥστε οὖν καὶ σὺ, εἰ δύνασαι ἵνα ὡς ἐξέρχῃ οὕτως καὶ εἰσέρχῃ, ὕπαγε· εἰ δὲ οὐ δύνασαι οὕτως ποιῆσαι, κάθου εἰς τὸ κελλίον σου κλαίων τὰς ἁμαρτίας σου· καὶ ἐὰν εὑρῶσί σε πενθοῦντα, οὐκ ἀναγκάζουσί σε ἐξελθεῖν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba John, saying, “What shall I do? A brother often comes to take me to work, and I am wretched and weak, and I grow tired in the task; so what shall I do for the sake of the commandment?” And the old man answered, “Caleb said to Joshua the son of Nun, ‘I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me and you from the desert into this land; and now I am eighty-five. As I was then, so now I am strong to go in and go out to war.’ So you too, if you can go out and come in the same way, go; but if you cannot do so, sit in your cell weeping for your sins; and if they find you mourning, they will not force you to go out.” ### Scripture references - Josh 14:7: quotation, high confidence - Josh 14:10: quotation, high confidence - Josh 14:11: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Josh 14:7, 10–11 in John’s own form. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.19 (PG 65:211; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-19). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 20 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-20 - Source: PG 65:211 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John says Joseph’s humility, not his brothers, sold him, and raised him to rule Egypt. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης· Τίς πέπρακε τὸν Ἰωσήφ; Καὶ ἀπεκρίθη τις ἀδελφὸς, λέγων· Οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Οὐχί· ἀλλ᾽ ἡ ταπείνωσις αὐτοῦ πέπρακεν αὐτόν. Ἠδύνατο γὰρ εἰπεῖν, ὅτι Ἀδελφὸς αὐτῶν εἰμι, καὶ ἀντιλέξαι· ἀλλὰ σιωπῶν, τῇ ταπεινώσει ἑαυτὸν πέπρακε· καὶ ἡ ταπείνωσις κατέστησεν αὐτὸν ἡγούμενον εἰς Αἴγυπτον. ### English translation (Claude) Abba John said, “Who sold Joseph?” And a brother answered, “His brothers.” The old man says to him, “No; his humility sold him. For he could have said, ‘I am their brother,’ and objected; but by keeping silent he sold himself by humility; and humility made him ruler in Egypt.” ### Scripture references - Gen 37:28: allusion, high confidence - Gen 41:41: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Gen 37:28; 41:41. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.20 (PG 65:211; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-20). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 21 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-21 - Source: PG 65:211 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Self-blame is the light burden; self-justification the heavy one. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης· Τὸ ἐλαφρὸν φορτίον ἑάσαντες, τουτέστι τὸ ἑαυτοὺς μέμφεσθαι, τὸ βαρὺ ἐβαστάσαμεν, τουτέστι τὸ δικαιοῦν ἑαυτούς. ### English translation (Claude) Abba John said, “We have abandoned the light burden, that is, blaming ourselves, and taken up the heavy one, that is, justifying ourselves.” ### Scripture references - Matt 11:30: echo, medium confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.21 (PG 65:211; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-21). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 22 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-22 - Source: PG 65:211 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Humility and the fear of God surpass all virtues. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς εἶπεν· Ἡ ταπεινοφροσύνη καὶ ὁ φόβος τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὑπεράνω εἰσὶ πασῶν τῶν ἀρετῶν. ### English translation (Claude) The same said, “Humility and the fear of God are above all the virtues.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.22 (PG 65:211; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-22). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 23 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-23 - Source: PG 65:211–213 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John apologizes for sighing aloud in church; a line on humility as the door to God’s city is joined to it. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἐκάθητό ποτε εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, καὶ ἐστέναξεν, ἀγνοῶν ὅτι ἐστί τις ὅπισθεν αὐτοῦ. τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστιν ἡ ταπείνωσις, καὶ οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν διὰ πολλῶν ὕβρεων καὶ θλίψεων χαίροντες εἰσῆλθαν δι᾿ αὐτῆς εἰς τὴν πόλιν τοῦ Θεοῦ. Γνοὺς οὖν, ἔβαλε μετάνοιαν, λέγων· Συγχώρησόν μοι, ἀββᾶ· οὔπω γὰρ κατηχήθην. ### English translation (Claude) The same was once sitting in the church, and he sighed, not knowing that someone was behind him. … [The door] of God is humility, and our fathers, through many insults and afflictions, entered rejoicing by it into the city of God. So when he realized it, he made a prostration, saying, “Forgive me, abba; for I have not yet been instructed.” ### Scripture references - Acts 14:22: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The scan joins this saying to a line from another saying of John (in other copies: “The door of God is humility …”); words are lost between them (“…”), not supplied. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.23 (PG 65:211–213; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-23). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 24 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-24 - Source: PG 65:213 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Honoring God brings honor from all; despising him brings ruin. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἔλεγε τῷ μαθητῇ αὐτοῦ· Τιμήσωμεν τὸν ἕνα, καὶ πάντες τιμῶσιν ἡμᾶς· ἐὰν δὲ καταφρονήσωμεν τοῦ ἑνὸς, ὅς ἐστι Θεὸς, καταφρονοῦσιν ἡμῶν πάντες, καὶ εἰς ἀπώλειαν ὑπάγομεν. ### English translation (Claude) The same said to his disciple, “Let us honor the One, and all will honor us; but if we despise the One, who is God, all will despise us, and we go to destruction.” ### Scripture references - 1 Sam 2:30: echo, medium confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.24 (PG 65:213; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-24). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 25 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-25 - Source: PG 65:213 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John walks around his cell three times to cleanse his ears of a quarrel. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰωάννου, ὅτι ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν εἰς Σκῆτιν· καὶ ἀκούσας ἀντιλογίας τινῶν ἀδελφῶν, ὑπέστρεψεν εἰς τὴν κέλλαν αὐτοῦ· καὶ κυκλεύσας αὐτὴν τρίτον, οὕτως εἰσῆλθεν. Ἀδελφοὶ δὲ τινες ἰδόντες αὐτὸν, ἠπόρησαν διατί τοῦτο ἐποίησε, καὶ ἐλθόντες ἠρώτων αὐτόν. Ὁ δὲ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Τὰ ὦτά μου εἶχον ἀπὸ τῆς ἀντιλογίας μεστά· ἐκύκλωσα οὖν, ἵνα καθαρίσω αὐτὰ, καὶ οὕτως εἰσέλθω ἐν ἡσυχίᾳ τοῦ νοός μου εἰς τὸ κελλίον μου. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba John that he came to the church at Scetis; and hearing some brothers disputing, he returned to his cell; and he walked around it three times, and then went in. Some brothers, seeing him, wondered why he did this, and came and asked him. He says to them, “My ears were full of the dispute; so I walked around to cleanse them, and so to enter my cell with stillness of mind.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.25 (PG 65:213; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-25). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 26 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-26 - Source: PG 65:213 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John and a visitor talk of virtues through the night until noon without noticing. ### Greek text Ἦλθέ ποτε ἀδελφὸς εἰς τὴν κέλλαν τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰωάννου ὀψὲ, σπουδάζων ἀπελθεῖν· καὶ λαλούντων αὐτῶν περὶ ἀρετῶν, γέγονε πρωΐ, καὶ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν. Καὶ ἐξῆλθε προπέμψαι αὐτόν· καὶ ἔμειναν λαλοῦντες ἕως ἕκτης ὥρας. Καὶ εἰσήνεγκεν· καὶ γευσάμενος, οὕτως ἀπῆλθεν. ### English translation (Claude) Once a brother came to abba John’s cell in the evening, eager to leave; and as they talked about virtues, morning came, and they did not notice. And John went out to see him off; and they stayed talking until the sixth hour. And he brought him in; and after eating, he left. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.26 (PG 65:213; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-26). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 27 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-27 - Source: PG 65:213 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John calls the cell a prison where one remembers God, and applies Christ’s words to visiting it. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης, ὅτι φυλακή ἐστι, τὸ καθίσαι ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ, καὶ μνημονεύειν τοῦ Θεοῦ πάντοτε Καὶ τοῦτό ἐστι τὸ, Ἐν φυλακῇ ἤμην, καὶ ἤλθετε πρὸς μέ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba John said, “To sit in the cell and remember God always: that is prison. And this is the meaning of ‘I was in prison, and you came to me.’” ### Scripture references - Matt 25:36: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Matt 25:36. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.27 (PG 65:213; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-27). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 28 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-28 - Source: PG 65:213 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Even the strong lion is trapped through its belly. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Τίς ἰσχυρὸς ὡς ὁ λέων; καὶ διὰ τὴν κοιλίαν αὐτοῦ ἐμπίπτει εἰς παγίδα, καὶ ὅλη ἡ ἰσχὺς αὐτοῦ ταπεινοῦται. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Who is as strong as the lion? And yet because of his belly he falls into the trap, and all his strength is brought low.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.28 (PG 65:213; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-28). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 29 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-29 - Source: PG 65:213 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The Fathers of Scetis ate simply without forcing themselves, and stayed strong for God’s work. ### Greek text Ἔλεγε πάλιν, ὅτι ἐσθίοντες οἱ Πατέρες τῆς Σκήτεως ἄρτον καὶ ἅλας, ἔλεγον· Μὴ ἀναγκάσωμεν ἑαυτοὺς εἰς ἄλας καὶ ἄρτον. Καὶ οὕτως ἰσχυροὶ ἦσαν πρὸς τὸ ἔργον τοῦ Θεοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said that the Fathers of Scetis, eating bread and salt, used to say, “Let us not force ourselves to bread and salt.” And so they were strong for the work of God. ### Translation notes - The sense of the saying is uncertain (perhaps “let us not burden ourselves even with bread and salt”); translated literally. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.29 (PG 65:213; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-29). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 30 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-30 - Source: PG 65:213 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Absorbed in God, John keeps forgetting the baskets until he brings the buyer in to take them himself. ### Greek text Ἦλθεν ἀδελφός τις λαβεῖν σπυρίδας παρὰ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰωάννου. Καὶ ἐξελθὼν λέγει αὐτῷ· Τί θέλεις, ἀδελφέ; Ὁ δὲ εἶπε· Σπυρίδας, ἀββᾶ. Εἰσελθὼν δὲ ἐκβαλεῖν, ἐπελάθετο· καὶ ἐκάθισε ῥάπτων. Πάλιν ἔκρουσε· καὶ ὡς ἐξῆλθε, λέγει αὐτῷ· Φέρε τὴν σπυρίδα, ἀββᾶ. Εἰσελθὼν δὲ πάλιν ἐκάθισε ῥάπτειν. Καὶ πάλιν ἐκεῖνος ἔκρουσε. Καὶ ἐξελθὼν λέγει αὐτῷ· Τί θέλεις, ἀδελφέ; Ὁ δὲ εἶπε· Τὴν σπυρίδα, ἀββᾶ. Καὶ κρατήσας αὐτοῦ τὴν χεῖρα, εἰσήνεγκεν αὐτὸν ἔσω, λέγων· Εἰ σπυρίδας θέλεις, λάβε καὶ περιπάτει· ἐγὼ γὰρ οὐ σχολάζω. ### English translation (Claude) A brother came to get baskets from abba John. And he came out and says to him, “What do you want, brother?” He said, “Baskets, abba.” Going in to bring them out, he forgot, and sat down sewing. Again the brother knocked; and when he came out, he says to him, “Bring the basket, abba.” Going in again, he sat down to sew. And again the brother knocked. And coming out he says to him, “What do you want, brother?” He said, “The basket, abba.” And taking him by the hand, he brought him inside, saying, “If you want baskets, take them and go; for I have no time.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.30 (PG 65:213; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-30). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 31 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-31 - Source: PG 65:213 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John repeats “rope, camel” to himself so as not to forget the camel driver again. ### Greek text Ηλθέ ποτε καμηλίτης, ἵνα λάβῃ τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀπέλθῃ εἰς ἄλλον τόπον. Ὁ δὲ εἰσελθὼν ἐνέγκαι αὐτῷ τὴν σειρὰν, ἐπέλαθετο, τεταμένην ἔχων τὴν διάνοιαν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν. Πάλιν οὖν ὤχλησεν ὁ καμηλίτης κρούων τὴν θύραν, καὶ πάλιν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης εἰσερχόμενος, ἐπελάθετο. Τὸ δὲ τρίτον κρούσαντος τοῦ καμηλίτου, εἰσερχόμενος ἔλεγε· Σειρὰ κάμηλος, σειρὰ κάμηλος ### English translation (Claude) Once a camel driver came to take his goods and go to another place. And going in to bring him the rope, he forgot, having his mind stretched toward God. So again the camel driver troubled him by knocking at the door, and again abba John, going in, forgot. When the camel driver knocked the third time, he went in saying, “Rope, camel; rope, camel.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.31 (PG 65:213; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-31). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 32 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-32 - Source: PG 65:213–215 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John tells a chattering visitor that he has driven God away from him. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς γέγονε ζέων τῷ πνεύματι. Παραβαλὼν οὖν τις αὐτῷ, ἐπήνεσεν αὐτοῦ τὸ ἔργον· εἰργάζετο δὲ σειράν· καὶ ἐσιώπησε. Πάλιν ἐκεῖνος ἐκίνησεν αὐτῷ λόγον· καὶ πάλιν ἐσιώπα. Τὸ τρίτον, λέγει τῷ παραβαλόντι· Ἀφ' οὗ εἰσῆλθες ἐνταῦθα, ἔβαλες τὸν Θεὸν ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) The same was fervent in spirit. Someone visiting him praised his work (he was making rope); and he kept silent. Again the man started a conversation with him, and again he kept silent. The third time, he says to the visitor, “Since you came in here, you have driven God away from me.” ### Scripture references - Rom 12:11: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - “Fervent in spirit”: Rom 12:11. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.32 (PG 65:213–215; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-32). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 33 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-33 - Source: PG 65:215 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A visiting elder sees an angel fanning John as he sleeps. ### Greek text Ἦλθέ τις γέρων εἰς τὴν κέλλαν τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰωάννου, καὶ εὖρεν αὐτὸν καθεύδοντα, καὶ ἄγγελον παριστάμενον καὶ ῥιπίζοντα αὐτόν. Καὶ ἀνεχώρησεν ἰδών. Ὡς δὲ ἀνέστη, λέγει τῷ μαθητῇ αὐτοῦ· Ἦλθέ τις ὧδε κοιμωμένου μου; Λέγει· Ναί· ὁ δεῖνα ὁ γέρων. Καὶ ἔγνω ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης, ὅτι τῶν μέτρων αὐτοῦ ἦν ὁ γέρων, καὶ εἶδε τὸν ἄγγελον. ### English translation (Claude) An old man came to abba John’s cell and found him sleeping, and an angel standing beside him and fanning him. And seeing this, he withdrew. When John got up, he says to his disciple, “Did someone come here while I was sleeping?” He says, “Yes, such-and-such an old man.” And abba John knew that the old man was of his own measure, and had seen the angel. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.33 (PG 65:215; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-33). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 34 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-34 - Source: PG 65:215 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John lists the virtues to begin each day, ending with constant remembrance of death. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης· Ἐγὼ θέλω μεταλαβεῖν τὸν ἄνθρωπον, μικρὸν ἐκ πασῶν τῶν ἀρετῶν. Τοίνυν ἐφ᾽ ἑκάστης ἡμέρας, διανιστάμενος τῷ πρωί, ἐπιλαβοῦ ἀρχὴν εἰς πᾶσαν ἀρετὴν, καὶ ἐντολὴν Θεοῦ, ἐν μεγίστῃ ὑπομονῇ, μετὰ φόβου καὶ μακροθυμίας, ἐν ἀγάπη Θεοῦ, μετὰ πάσης προθυμίας ψυχῆς καὶ σώματος, καὶ ταπεινώσεως πολλῆς, ἐν ὑπομονῇ θλίψεως καρδίας καὶ φυλακῆς, ἐν προσευχῇ πολλῇ καὶ πρεσβείαις, μετὰ στεναγμοῦ ἐ, ἐν ἁγνείᾳ γλώσσης, καὶ φυλακῇ ὀφθαλμῶν ἀτιμαζόμενος, καὶ μὴ ὀργιζόμενος· εἰρηνεύων, καὶ μὴ ἀνταποδιδοὺς κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ· μὴ προσέχων πταίσμασιν ἑτέρων· μὴ ἑαυτὸν μετρῶν, ὑποκάτω πάσης τῆς κτίὧν· ἐν ἀποταξίᾳ ὕλης καὶ τῶν κατὰ σάρκα, ἐν σταυρῷ, ἐν ἀγῶνι, ἐν πτωχείᾳ πνεύματος, ἐν προαιρέσει καὶ ἀσκήσει πνευματικῇ, ἐν νηστείᾳ, ἐν μετανοίᾳ καὶ κλαυθμῷ, ἐν ἀγῶνι πολέμου, ἐν διακρίσει, ἐν ἁγνείᾳ ψυχῆς, ἐν μεταλήψει χρηστῇ· ἐν ἡσυχίᾳ τὸ ἐργόχειρον ἐν ταῖς νυκτεριναῖς ἀγρυπνίαις, ἐν πείνῃ καὶ δίψῃ, ἐν ψύχει καὶ γυμνότητι, ἐν πόνοις· ἀποκλείων σου τὸν τάφον, ὡς ἤδη τελευτήσας· ὡς νομίζειν εἶναί σου τὸν θάνατον ἐγγὺς πᾶσαν τὴν ὥραν ### English translation (Claude) Abba John said, “I want a man to take a little from all the virtues. So each day, getting up early, make a beginning in every virtue and commandment of God: in very great patience, with fear and long-suffering, in the love of God, with all eagerness of soul and body, and much humility; in endurance of affliction of heart, and watchfulness; in much prayer and intercession, with groaning; in purity of tongue and guarding of the eyes; being dishonored and not angry; keeping peace and not repaying evil for evil; not attending to others’ faults; not measuring yourself, being beneath all creation; in renunciation of matter and of the things of the flesh; in the cross, in struggle, in poverty of spirit, in purpose and spiritual asceticism; in fasting, in repentance and weeping; in the struggle of war, in discernment, in purity of soul, in good sharing; in stillness, handiwork; in night vigils, in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness, in labors; shutting your tomb, as though already dead, so as to think your death near every hour.” ### Scripture references - Rom 12:17: echo, low confidence - 2 Cor 11:27: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The scan garbles a few words (“κτίὧν”, taken as “creation”); translated by sense. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.34 (PG 65:215; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-34). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 35 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-35 - Source: PG 65:215 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: After any outing John prayed until his mind regained its order. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ αὐτοῦ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰωάννου, ὅτι ὡς ἤρχετο ἐκ τοῦ θέρους, ἢ παραβάλλων γέρουσιν, εἰς τὴν εὐχὴν καὶ εἰς τὴν μελέτην καὶ εἰς τὴν ψαλμῳδίαν ἐσχόλαζεν, ἕως οὗ ἀποκατεστάθη ὁ λογισμός αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν τάξιν τὴν ἀρχαίαν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba John that when he came back from the harvest or from visiting old men, he gave himself to prayer, meditation, and psalmody until his thought was restored to its former order. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.35 (PG 65:215; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-35). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 36 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-36 - Source: PG 65:215 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John’s humility holds all Scetis on his little finger. ### Greek text Εἶπέ τις τῶν Πατέρων περὶ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι Τίς ἐστιν ὁ Ἰωάννης, ὅτι διὰ τῆς ταπεινώσεως αὐτοῦ, ἐκρέμασεν ὅλην τὴν Σκῆτιν ἐν τῷ μικρῷ αὐτοῦ δακτύλῳ; ### English translation (Claude) One of the Fathers said of him, “Who is this John, who by his humility has all Scetis hanging on his little finger?” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.36 (PG 65:215; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-36). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 37 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-37 - Source: PG 65:215 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John defines a monk as toil. ### Greek text Ἐρώτησέ τις τῶν Πατέρων τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰωάννην τὸν κολοβὸν, τί ἐστι μοναχός; Ὁ δὲ εἶπε· Κόπος. Ὅτι ὁ μοναχὸς εἰς πᾶν ἔργον κοπιᾷ. Οὕτως ὁ μοναχός. ### English translation (Claude) One of the Fathers asked abba John the Dwarf, “What is a monk?” He said, “Toil. For the monk toils at every work. That is what a monk is.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.37 (PG 65:215; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-37). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 38 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-38 - Source: PG 65:215–217 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: An elder who goes out by night to avoid fame is lit by angels with torches and glorified the more. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης ὁ κολοβός, ὅτι γέρων τις πνευματικός, ἀπέκλεισεν ἑαυτὸν, καὶ ἦν ἐπίσημος ἐν τῇ πόλει, καὶ δόξαν πολλὴν ἔχων. Ἐδηλώθη δὲ τούτῳ, ὅτι Μέλλει τις τῶν ἁγίων ἀναλύειν, δεῦρο, ἄσπασαι αὐτὸν πρὶν κοιμηθῇ. Καὶ ἐνεθυμήθη ἐν ἑαυτῷ, ὅτι Ἐὰν ἐξέλθω ἡμέρας, ἐπιτρέχουσιν οἱ ἄνθρωποι, καὶ πολλή μοι δόξα γίνεται, καὶ οὐκ ἀναπαύομαι εἰς ταῦτα. Ἀπέρχομαι οὖν ὀψὲ τῇ σκοτία, καὶ λανθάνω πάντας. Ὀψὲ οὖν ἐξελθὼν ἐκ τοῦ κελλίου ὡς θέλων λαθεῖν· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ καταπέμπονται δύο ἄγγελοι μετὰ λαμπάδων, παραφαίνοντες αὐτῷ· καὶ λοιπὸν πᾶσα ἡ πόλις κατέδραμε βλέπουσα τὴν δόξαν. Καὶ ὅσον ἔδοξε φεύγειν τὴν δόξαν, πλέον ἐδοξάσθη. Ἐν τούτοις πληροῦται τὸ γεγραμμένον· Πᾶς ὁ ταπεινῶν ἑαυτὸν, ὑψωθήσεται. ### English translation (Claude) Abba John the Dwarf said that a spiritual old man had shut himself in, and he was well known in the city and had much glory. It was revealed to him, “One of the saints is about to depart; come and greet him before he falls asleep.” And he thought to himself, “If I go out by day, people will run after me and I shall have much glory, and I find no rest in that. So I will go in the evening, in the dark, and escape everyone’s notice.” So he went out of his cell in the evening, wanting to escape notice; and look, two angels were sent from God with torches to light his way; and then the whole city ran together to see the glory. And the more he thought he was fleeing glory, the more he was glorified. In this is fulfilled what is written, “Everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.” ### Scripture references - Luke 14:11: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. Quotation of Luke 14:11. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.38 (PG 65:215–217; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-38). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 39 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-39 - Source: PG 65:217 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John calls the neighbor the foundation of the spiritual house, on whom all Christ’s commandments hang. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης ὁ κολοβός· Οὐ δυνατὸν οἰκοδομῆσαι τὸν οἶκον ἄνωθεν ἐπὶ τὸ κάτω, ἀλλ᾽ ἐκ τοῦ θεμελίου ἐπὶ τὸ ἄνω. Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Τίς ἐστιν ὁ λόγος οὗτος; Λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ὁ θεμέλιος, ὁ πλησίον ἐστὶν, ἵνα αὐτὸν κερδάνῃς καὶ ὀφείλει πρῶτον Εἰς αὐτὸν γὰρ κρέμανται πᾶσαι αἱ ἐντολαὶ τοῦ Χριστοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba John the Dwarf said, “It is not possible to build a house from the top down, but from the foundation up.” They say to him, “What does this saying mean?” He says to them, “The foundation is your neighbor, that you may win him, and he ought to come first … For on him hang all the commandments of Christ.” ### Scripture references - Matt 22:40: echo, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Words are lost in the scan after “come first” (“…”); not supplied. Cf. Matt 22:40. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.39 (PG 65:217; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-39). ## John the Dwarf (Colobos) 40 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-43-40 - Source: PG 65:217–219 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Paësia, a benefactress of the monks who fell into prostitution, repents at John’s tears and dies that night, accepted by God. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰωάννου, ὅτι τινὸς νεωτέρας ἐτελεύτησαν οἱ γονεῖς, καὶ ὑπελείφθη ὀρφανή ὄνομα δὲ αὐτῇ, Παησία. Ἐλογίσατο οὖν ποιῆσαι τὸν οἶκον αὐτῆς ξενοδοχεῖον, εἰς λόγον τῶν Πατέρων τῆς Σκήτεως. Ἔμεινεν οὖν οὕτως ξενοδοχοῦσα ἐπὶ χρόνον ἱκανὸν, καὶ θεραπεύουσα τοὺς Πατέρας. Μετὰ δὲ χρόνον, ὡς ἀνηλώθη τὰ πράγματα, ἀρχὴν ἐποίησεν ὑστερεῖσθαι. Ἐκολλήθησαν οὖν αὐτῇ διάστροφοι ἄνθρωποι, καὶ μετέστησαν αὐτὴν ἀπὸ τοῦ σκοποῦ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ καὶ λοιπὸν ἤρξατο διάγειν κακῶς, ὥστε φθάσαι αὐτὴν εἰς τὸ πορνεύειν. Ἥκουσαν δὲ οἱ Πατέρες, καὶ πάνυ ἐλυπήθησαν, καὶ προσκαλεσάμενοι τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰωάννην τὸν κολοβὸν, λέγουσιν αὐτῷ ὅτι, Ἠκούσαμεν περὶ τῆς ἀδελφῆς ἐκείνης, ὅτι διάγει κακῶς καὶ αὐτὴ ὅτε ἡδύνατο, τὴν ἀγάπην αὐτῆς εἰς ἡμᾶς ἐνεδείξατο· καὶ νῦν ἡμεῖς ἐπιδειξώμεθα εἰς αὐτὴν τὴν ἀγάπην, καὶ βοηθήσωμεν αὐτῇ. Σκύλθητι οὖν πρὸς αὐτήν καὶ κατὰ τὴν σοφίαν ἣν ἔδωκέ σοι ὁ Θεὸς, οἰκονόμησον τὰ κατ᾿ αὐτήν. Ἦλθεν οὖν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης πρὸς αὐτὴν, καὶ λέγει τῇ γραΐδι τῆ θυρωρῷ· Μήνυσόν με πρὸς τὴν κυρίαν σου. δὲ ἀπεπέμψατο αὐτὸν λέγουσα· Ὑμεῖς ἐξ ἀρχῆς κατεφάγετε τὰ αὐτῆς, καὶ ἥδε πτωχή ἐστι. Λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης· Εἰπὲ αὐτῇ. Πάνυ γὰρ ἔχω αὐτὴν ὠφελῆσαι. Οἱ δὲ παῖδες αὐτῆς ὑπομειδιῶντες λέγουσιν αὐτῷ Τί γὰρ ἔχεις δοῦναι αὐτῇ, ὅτι θέλεις αὐτῇ συντυχεῖν; Ὁ δὲ ἀπεκρίθη λέγων· Πόθεν γὰρ οἴδατε τί μέλλω αὐτῇ παρασχεῖν; Ανελθοῦσα οὖν ἡ γραῦς, εἶπεν αὐτῇ περὶ αὐτοῦ. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῇ ἡ νεωτέρα Οὗτοι οἱ μοναχοὶ ἀεὶ διακινοῦσι παρὰ τὴν Ἐρυθρὰν θάλασσαν, καὶ εὑρίσκουσι μαργαρίτας. Ο Κοσμήσασα οὖν ἑαυτὴν λέγει, Θέλησον ἀνενέγκαι πρὸς μέ. Ὡς οὖν ἀνῆλθε, προλαβοῦσα ἐκαθέσθη εἰς τὴν κλίνην. Ἐλθὼν δὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης, ἐκαθέσθη ἐγγὺς αὐτῆς. Προσχὼν δὲ εἰς τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτῆς, λέγει αὐτῇ Τί κατέγνως τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, ὅτι εἰς τοῦτο ἦλθες; Ἀκούσασα δὲ, ἀπεπάγη ὅλη. Καὶ κλίνας κάτω τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης, ἤρξατο κλαίειν σφοδρῶς. Λέγει αὐτῷ αὐτή Ἀββᾶ, τί κλαίεις; Ὡς δὲ ἀνένευσε, πάλιν ἔκλινεν ἑαυτὸν κλαίων, καὶ λέγει αὐτῇ· Βλέπω ὅτι ὁ Σατανᾶς παίζει εἰς τὴν ὄψιν σου, καὶ οὐ μὴ κλαύσω; Ακούσασα δὲ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἔνι μετάνοια, ἀββᾶ; λέγει αὐτῇ Ναί. Λέγει αὐτῷ· Λάβε με ὅπου θέλεις. Λέγει αὐτῇ· Ἄγωμεν. Καὶ ἀνέστη ἀκολουθῆσαι αὐτῷ. Προσέσχε δὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης ὅτι οὐδὲν διετάξατο ἢ ἐλάλησε περὶ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτῆς, καὶ ἐθαύμασεν. Ὡς οὖν ἔφθασαν εἰς τὴν ἔρημον, βράδιον ἐγένετο. Καὶ ποιήσας ἐκτῆς ἄμμου μικρὸν προσκέφαλα αὐτῆς, καὶ σφραγισάμενος, λέγει αὐτῇ· Καθεύδησον ἐνταῦθα. Ποιήσας δὲ καὶ ἑαυτῷ ἀπὸ μικροῦ διαστήματος, καὶ πληρώσας τὰς εὐχὰς αὐτοῦ, ἀνεκλίθη. Περὶ δὲ τὸ μεσονύκτιον διϋπνισθεὶς, βλέπει ὁδόν τινα φωτεινὴν ἀπὸ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἕως αὐτῆς ἐστηριγμένην· καὶ εἶδε τοὺς ἀγγέλους τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀναφέροντας τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτῆς. Ἀναστὰς οὖν καὶ ἀπελθὼν, ἔνυξεν αὐτὴν τῷ ποδί. Ὡς δὲ εἶδεν ὅτι ἀπέθανεν, ἔρριψεν ἑαυτὸν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον δεόμενος τοῦ Θεοῦ. Καὶ ἤκουσεν, ὅτι ἡ μία ὥρα τῆς μετανοίας αὐτῆς, προσεδέχθη ὑπὲρ μετάνοιαν πολλῶν χρονιζόντων, καὶ μὴ ἐνδεικνυμένων τὸ θερμὸν τῆς τοιαύτης μετανοίας. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba John that the parents of a certain young woman died, and she was left an orphan; her name was Paësia. She decided to make her house a hostel for the use of the Fathers of Scetis. So she continued for a considerable time giving hospitality and caring for the Fathers. But after a time, when her means were used up, she began to be in want. Then perverse men attached themselves to her and turned her from her good purpose; and from then on she began to live badly, so that she came to practice prostitution. The Fathers heard of it and were very grieved; and calling abba John the Dwarf, they say to him, “We have heard about that sister, that she is living badly; and she, when she could, showed her love to us; and now let us show love to her and help her. So take the trouble to go to her, and according to the wisdom God has given you, manage her affairs.” So abba John came to her and says to the old woman at the door, “Announce me to your mistress.” She sent him away, saying, “You monks ate up her property from the beginning, and now she is poor.” Abba John says to her, “Tell her. For I have something very helpful for her.” Her servants, smiling, say to him, “What have you to give her, that you want to meet her?” He answered, “How do you know what I am going to give her?” So the old woman went up and told her about him. And the young woman says to her, “These monks are always going about by the Red Sea and finding pearls.” So adorning herself, she says, “Kindly bring him up to me.” When he came up, she sat down first on the bed. Abba John came and sat near her. Looking into her face, he says to her, “What fault did you find with Jesus, that you have come to this?” When she heard it, she froze entirely. And abba John, bowing his head, began to weep bitterly. She says to him, “Abba, why are you weeping?” And he looked up, then bowed again, weeping, and says to her, “I see Satan playing in your face, and shall I not weep?” Hearing this, she says to him, “Is there repentance, abba?” He says to her, “Yes.” She says to him, “Take me wherever you wish.” He says to her, “Let us go.” And she got up to follow him. Abba John noticed that she gave no instructions and said nothing about her house, and he marveled. When they reached the desert, it was evening. And making a small pillow of sand for her and making the sign of the cross, he says to her, “Sleep here.” And making one for himself a little way off, and finishing his prayers, he lay down. About midnight, waking up, he sees a shining road set from heaven down to her; and he saw the angels of God carrying up her soul. So he got up and went and nudged her with his foot. When he saw that she was dead, he threw himself on his face, praying to God. And he heard that one hour of her repentance had been accepted above the repentance of many who persevere a long time and do not show the fervor of such repentance. ### Translation notes - The scan moves part of the last sentence into the middle of the story; the words are put back in order. The story is told as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 43.40 (PG 65:217–219; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-40). ## John of the Cenobium 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-44-1 - Source: PG 65:219 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John of the community keeps working when visitors come, saying a sinner has no time for courtesies. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἦν οἰκῶν ἐν κοινοβίῳ, καὶ πάνυ κρατῶν ἄσκησιν. Ἀκούσαντες δὲ ἀδελφοὶ εἰς Σκῆτιν περὶ αὐτοῦ, ἦλθον ἰδεῖν αὐτόν. Καὶ εἰσῆλθον εἰς τὸν τόπον ὅπου αὐτὸς εἰργάζετο. Καὶ ἀσπασάμενος αὐτοὺς, ἐπιστραφεὶς ἤρξατο ἐργάζεσθαι. Ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ ὃ ἐποίησε, λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Ἰωάννη, τίς ἔβαλέ σοι τὸ σχῆμα; ἢ τίς ἐποίησε σε μοναχόν; καὶ οὐκ ἐδίδαξέ σε λαβεῖν ἀπὸ τῶν ἀδελφῶν τὸ μηλωτάριον, καὶ λέγειν αὐτοῖς Εὔξασθε, ἢ Καθίσατε. Λέγει αὐτοῖς Ἰωάννης ἁμαρτωλὸς οὐ σχολάζει εἰς ταῦτα. ### English translation (Claude) There was a brother living in a community who practiced great asceticism. Brothers at Scetis heard about him and came to see him. They went into the place where he was working. And greeting them, he turned back and began to work. Seeing what he did, the brothers say to him, “John, who gave you the habit? Or who made you a monk? Did he not teach you to take the brothers’ sheepskins and say to them, ‘Pray,’ or ‘Sit down’?” John says to them, “A sinner has no time for these things.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 44.1 (PG 65:219; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/44-1). ## Isidore 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-45-1 - Source: PG 65:219 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isidore took in difficult brothers others expelled and saved them by patience. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰσιδώρου τοῦ πρεσβυτέρου τῆς Σκήτεως, ὅτι εἴ τις εἶχεν ἀδελφὸν ἀσθε-τὸν ἔξω, ἔλεγε Φέρε μοι αὐτὸν ὧδε. Καὶ ἐλάμβανεν αὐτὸν, καὶ διὰ τῆς μακροθυμίας αὐτοῦ ἔσωσεν αὐτον ο. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Isidore, the presbyter of Scetis, that if anyone had a brother who was weak … outside, he would say, “Bring him here to me.” And he would take him, and through his long-suffering he saved him. ### Translation notes - Words are lost in the scan (“…”; in other copies: a brother who was sick, or careless, or abusive, whom others wanted to expel); not supplied. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 45.1 (PG 65:219; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/45-1). ## Isidore 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-45-2 - Source: PG 65:219 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Demons fear Isidore because he never let anger reach his throat. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησεν αὐτὸν, λέγων· Διατί οἱ δαίμονες οὕτως σε φοβοῦνται σφόδρα Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Ὅτι ἀφ᾿ ἧς ἐγενόμην μοναχὸς, ἀσκῶ, μὴ συγχωρῶν τὴν ὀργὴν προαναβῆναι τῷ λάρυγγί μου. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked him, saying, “Why are the demons so very afraid of you?” The old man says to him, “Because from the time I became a monk I have practiced not letting anger rise as far as my throat.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 45.2 (PG 65:219; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/45-2). ## Isidore 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-45-3 - Source: PG 65:219 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: For forty years Isidore felt sinful thoughts but never consented to them. ### Greek text Ἔλεγε πάλιν, τεσσαρακοστὸν ἔτος ἔχειν, ἀφ᾿ οὗ αἰσθάνεται τῆς κατὰ διάνοιαν ἁμαρτίας, μηδέποτε δὲ συγκαταθέσθαι, μήτε ἐπιθυμίας, μήτε θυμοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said that it was the fortieth year since he had been aware of sin in thought, yet he had never consented either to desire or to anger. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 45.3 (PG 65:219; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/45-3). ## Isidore 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-45-4 - Source: PG 65:219 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: In his youth Isidore made all day and night his prayer. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν Ἐγὼ ὅτε ἤμην νεώτερος, καὶ ἐκαθήμην εἰς τὸ κελλίον μου, μέτρον συνάξεως οὐκ εἶχον· ἡ νύξ μοι καὶ ἡμέρα, σύναξις ἦν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “When I was young and lived in my cell, I had no measure for the office; night and day were office for me.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 45.4 (PG 65:219; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/45-4). ## Isidore 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-45-5 - Source: PG 65:219–221 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isidore says that even burned to ashes he could not repay Christ’s coming for us. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰσιδώρου, ὅτι ἔπλεκε δέμα θαλλίων κατὰ νύκτα καὶ παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ, λέγοντες Ἀνάπαυσον σεαυτὸν ὀλίγον, ὅτι λοιπὸν ἐγήρασας. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς, ὅτι Ἐὰν καύσωσιν Ἰσίδωρον, καὶ τὴν σποδὸν αὐτοῦ ἀνέμῳ σκορπίσωσιν, οὐδὲ μία μοι χάρις ἀκμὴν, ὅτι ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ ὧδε ἦλθε δι᾽ ἡμᾶς. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said of abba Isidore that he plaited a bundle of palm leaves every night; and the brothers begged him, saying, “Rest yourself a little, since you have grown old.” And he said to them, “If they burn Isidore and scatter his ashes to the wind, I have still given no thanks at all, since the Son of God came here for us.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 45.5 (PG 65:219–221; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/45-5). ## Isidore 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-45-6 - Source: PG 65:221 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isidore abandons his wares and flees when he feels anger approach. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰσίδωρος ὅτι, Ἀπῆλθόν ποτε ἐν τῇ ἀγορᾷ πωλῆσαι σκεύη μικρά· καὶ ἰδὼν τὴν ὀργὴν ἐγγίζουσάν μοι, ἑάσας τὰ σκεύη ἔφυγον. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Isidore said, “Once I went to the market to sell small articles; and seeing anger coming near me, I left the articles and fled.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 45.6 (PG 65:221; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/45-6). ## Isidore 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-45-8 - Source: PG 65:221 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isidore visits Alexandria and sees no one’s face but the archbishop’s. ### Greek text Ἀπῆλθέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰσίδωρος πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Θεόφιλον τὸν ἀρχιεπίσκοπον Ἀλεξανδρείας· καὶ ὡς ὑπέστρεψεν εἰς Σκῆτιν, ἠρώτησαν αὐτὸν οἱ ἀδελφοί· Πῶς ἡ πόλις; Ὁ δὲ εἶπε· Φύσει, ἀδελφοὶ, ἐγὼ πρόσωπον ἀνθρώπου οὐκ εἶδον, εἰ μὴ μόνον τοῦ ἀρχιεπισκόπου. Οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες ἐταράχθησαν, λέγοντες· Ἆρα ἐχαώθησαν, ἀββᾶ; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν Οὐχ οὕτως ἀλλ᾽ οὐκ ἐνίκησέ με ὁ λογισμὸς τοῦ ἰδεῖν τινα. Οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες ἐθαύμασαν, καὶ ἐστηρίχθησαν ἵνα φυλάττωσιν ἀπὸ μετεωρισμοῦ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Isidore went to abba Theophilus, archbishop of Alexandria; and when he returned to Scetis, the brothers asked him, “How is the city?” He said, “Truly, brothers, I saw no human face except that of the archbishop.” Hearing this, they were troubled, saying, “Were they destroyed, abba?” He said, “Not so; but the thought of looking at anyone did not overcome me.” Hearing this, they marveled, and were strengthened to guard their eyes from wandering. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 45.8 (PG 65:221; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/45-8). ## Isidore 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-45-9 - Source: PG 65:221 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isidore warns against following one’s own heart instead of God’s will, urging endurance. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἀββᾶς Ἰσίδωρος εἶπεν· Ἡ σύνεσις τῶν ἁγίων αὕτη ἐστὶ, τὸ ἐπιγνῶναι τὸ θέλημα τοῦ Θεοῦ. Πάντων γὰρ περιγίνεται ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐν τῇ ὑπακοῇ τῆς ἀληθείας, ὅτι εἰκὼν καὶ ὁμοίωμα τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστι. Πάντων δὲ πνεύματων δεινόν ἐστι τὸ ἀκολουθεῖν τῇ ἑαυτοῦ καρδίᾳ, τουτέστι τῷ ἰδίῳ λογισμῷ καὶ μὴ τῷ νόμῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ· καὶ ὕστερον γίνεται αὐτῷ εἰς πένθος, ὅτι οὐκ ἔγνω τὸ μυστήριον, οὐδὲ εὖρε τὴν ὁδὸν τῶν ἁγίων ἐργάζεσθαι ἐν αὐτῇ. Νῦν οὖν καιρὸς τοῦ ποιῆσαι τῷ Κυρίῳ, ὅτι σωτηρία ἐν καιρῷ θλίψεως· ὅτι γέγραπται· Ἐν τῇ ὑπομονῇ ὑμῶν κτήσασθε τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν. ### English translation (Claude) The same abba Isidore said, “This is the understanding of the saints: to know the will of God. For in obedience to the truth man surpasses all things, because he is the image and likeness of God. But of all the spirits the most dreadful is to follow one’s own heart, that is, one’s own thought, and not the law of God; and afterward it becomes grief to him, because he did not know the mystery nor find the way of the saints to work in it. So now is the time to act for the Lord, for salvation is in the time of affliction; for it is written, ‘By your endurance you will gain your souls.’” ### Scripture references - Gen 1:26: allusion, medium confidence - Ps 119:126 (118:126 LXX): quotation, high confidence - Isa 33:2: echo, low confidence - Luke 21:19: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Gen 1:26; Ps 119:126 (LXX 118:126); Luke 21:19. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 45.9 (PG 65:221; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/45-9). ## Isidore of Pelusium 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-46-1 - Source: PG 65:221 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A good life without words helps more than words without a good life; together they form true philosophy. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰσίδωρος ὁ Πηλουσιώτης, ὅτι Βίος ἄνευ λόγου [μᾶλλον] ὠφελεῖν πέφυκεν, ἢ λόγος ἄνευ βίου. Ὁ μὲν γὰρ, καὶ σιγῶν ὠφελεῖ ὁ δὲ καὶ βοῶν ἐνοχλεῖ. Εἰ δὲ καὶ λόγος καὶ βίος συνδράμοι, ἓν φιλοσοφίας ἁπάσης ἀποτελοῦσιν ἄγαλμα. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Isidore of Pelusium said, “Life without speech is by nature [more] beneficial than speech without life. For the one helps even when silent, while the other annoys even when shouting. But if speech and life run together, they make one statue of all philosophy.” ### Translation notes - “More” is in square brackets in the printed text (a word supplied by the editor). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 46.1 (PG 65:221; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/46-1). ## Isidore of Pelusium 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-46-2 - Source: PG 65:221 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Virtue is immortal; prosperity soon fades. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἔλεγε· Τὰς ἀρετὰς τίμα μὴ τὰς εὐημερίας θεράπευε· αἱ μὲν γὰρ ἀθάνατόν εἰσι χρῆμα· αἱ δὲ ῥᾳδίως σβέννυνται. ### English translation (Claude) The same said, “Honor the virtues; do not court prosperity; for the virtues are an immortal possession, while prosperity is easily extinguished.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 46.2 (PG 65:221; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/46-2). ## Isidore of Pelusium 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-46-3 - Source: PG 65:221–223 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Some shrink from the road to virtue; others deny it exists; both must be taught. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Πολλοὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων ὀρέγονται μὲν ἀρετῆς, τὴν δὲ ἐπ᾿ αὐτὴν φέρουσαν ὁδὸν ὀκνοῦσιν ἰέναι ἄλλοι δὲ οὐδὲ ἀρετὴν εἶναι ἡγοῦνται. Χρὴ οὖν τοὺς μὲν πεῖσαι, τὸν ὄκνον ἀποθέσθαι· τοὺς δὲ διδάξαι ὅτι ὄντως ἀρετή ἐστιν ἡ ἀρετή. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Many people desire virtue but are reluctant to walk the road that leads to it; and others do not even think there is such a thing as virtue. So we must persuade the former to put away their reluctance, and teach the latter that virtue truly is virtue.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 46.3 (PG 65:221–223; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/46-3). ## Isidore of Pelusium 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-46-4 - Source: PG 65:223 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Wickedness divides people from God and each other; virtue reunites them. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι ἡ κακία, καὶ Θεοῦ τοὺς ἀνθρώπους ἀπέστησε, καὶ ἀλλήλων διέστησε. Ταύτην οὖν προτροπάδην φεύγειν χρὴ, καὶ διώκειν τὴν ἀρετὴν, τὴν καὶ Θεῷ προσάγουσαν καὶ ἀλλήλοις συνάπτουσαν. Ἀρετῆς δὲ καὶ φιλοσοφίας ὅρος, τὸ μετὰ συνέσεως ἄπλαστον. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Wickedness has separated men from God and divided them from one another. So we must flee it headlong and pursue virtue, which brings us to God and unites us with one another. And the definition of virtue and philosophy is simplicity joined with understanding.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 46.4 (PG 65:223; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/46-4). ## Isidore of Pelusium 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/43-1/#p-46-5 - Source: PG 65:223 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isidore urges humility over arrogance and resisting greed from its first approach. ### Greek text Ἔλεγε πάλιν· Ἐπειδὴ μέγα τῆς ταπεινοφροσύνης τὸ ὕψος, καὶ τῆς ἀλαζονείας τὸ πτῶμα, συμβουλεύω ὑμῖν, ἐκεῖνο μὲν ἀσπάσασθαι, τούτῳ δὲ μὴ περιπεσεῖν. Γ΄. Εἶπε πάλιν Ὁ δεινὸς καὶ πάντολμος τῆς φιλοχρηματίας ἔρως, κόρον οὐκ εἰδὼς, ἐπὶ τὸ ἔσχατον τῶν κακῶν, τὴν ἁλοῦσαν ψυχὴν ἐλαύνει. Οὐκοῦν μάλιστα αὐτὸν ἐν προοιμίοις ἐλάσωμεν. Κρατήσας γὰρ, ἀχείρωτος ἔσται. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Since the height of humility is great, and the fall of arrogance is great, I advise you to embrace the one and not to fall into the other.” [6] He also said, “The terrible and all-daring love of money, knowing no satiety, drives the soul it has captured to the extremity of evils. So let us drive it out above all at the start; for once it has prevailed, it will be unconquerable.” ### Scripture references - 1 Tim 6:10: echo, medium confidence ### Translation notes - The scan runs Isidore of Pelusium 6 (its numeral misread as Γʹ) into this saying; marked [6]. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 46.5 (PG 65:223; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/46-5). ## Isaac, priest of the Cells (unnumbered opening text) - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-47-0 - Source: PG 65:223 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The end of the printed heading of the section on Isaac, priest of the Cells. ### Greek text Κελλίων. ### English translation (Claude) [… of the Cells.] ### Translation notes - This word belongs to the printed heading (“On abba Isaac, priest of the Cells”). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 47.0 (PG 65:223; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0). ## Isaac, priest of the Cells 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-47-1 - Source: PG 65:223 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isaac flees ordination but is found by the Fathers’ donkey and accepts it as God’s will. ### Greek text Ἦλθόν ποτε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰσαὰκ πρεσβύτερον ποιῆσαι. Καὶ ἀκούσας, ἔφυγεν εἰς Αἴγυπτον και ἀπῆλθεν εἰς ἀγρὸν, καὶ ἐκρύβη ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ χόρτου. Κατεδίωξαν οὖν οἱ Πατέρες ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ· καὶ φθάσαντες εἰς αὐτὸν τὸν ἀγρὸν, κατέλυσαν ἀναπαῆναι μικρὸν ἐκεῖ· ἦν γὰρ νύξ. Καὶ τὸν ὄνον ἀπέλυσαν βόσκεσθαι. Ὁ̔ δὲ ὄνος ἀπελθὼν, ἔστη κατὰ τοῦ γέροντος. Καὶ πρωΐ ζητοῦντες τὸν ὄνον, εὗρον καὶ τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰσαάκ· καὶ ἐθαύμασαν. Θέλοντες δὲ αὐτὸν δῆσαι, οὐκ ἀφῆκε, λέγων· Οὐκ ἔτι φεύγω. Θέλημα γὰρ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστι, καὶ ὅπου δ᾽ ἂν φύγω, εἰς αὐτὸ ἔρχομαι. ### English translation (Claude) Once they came to make abba Isaac a presbyter. Hearing of it, he fled to Egypt and went into a field and hid among the grass. The Fathers pursued him; and reaching that field, they stopped to rest a little there, for it was night. And they let the donkey loose to graze. The donkey went and stood over the old man. In the morning, looking for the donkey, they found abba Isaac too; and they marveled. When they wanted to bind him, he would not allow it, saying, “I will not flee any more. For it is the will of God, and wherever I flee, I come to it.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 47.1 (PG 65:223; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-1). ## Isaac, priest of the Cells 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-47-2 - Source: PG 65:223 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isaac learned from Theodore, who gave no orders, to imitate his elder and work in silence. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰσαάκ· Ὅτε ἤμην νεώτερος, ἐκαθήμην μετὰ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Κρονίου καὶ οὐδέποτε εἶπέ μοι ποιῆσαι ἔργον, καίπερ γέρων ὢν καὶ τρέμων· ἀλλὰ δι᾽ ἑαυτοῦ ἡγείρετο καὶ παρεῖχε τὸ βαυκάλιον ἐμοὶ καὶ πᾶσιν ὁμοίως. Καὶ μετὰ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Θεοδώρου τῆς Φέρμης ἐκάθισα, καὶ οὐδὲ αὐτὸς ἔλεγέ μοι ποιῆσαί τί ποτε· ἀλλὰ καὶ τὴν τράπεζαν δι᾽ ἑαυτοῦ ἐτίθει, καὶ ἔλεγεν Ἀδελφὲ, ἐὰν θέλῃς, δεῦρο φάγε. Ἐγὼ δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ἔλεγον Ἀββᾶ, ἦλθον πρὸς σὲ ἵνα ὠφεληθῶ· καὶ πῶς οὐ λέγεις μοί τί ποτε ποιῆσαι; Ὁ δὲ γέρων πάντα ἐσιώπα. Καὶ ἀπῆλθον, καὶ ἀνήγγειλα τοῖς γέρουσι. Καὶ ἐλθόντες οἱ γέροντες πρὸς αὐτὸν, εἶπον αὐτῷ· Ἀββᾶ, ἦλθεν ὁ ἀδελφὸς πρὸς τὴν ἁγιωσύνην σου, ὠφεληθῆναι, καὶ διατί οὐ λέγεις αὐτῷ ἵνα ποιήσῃ τί ποτε; Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων Μὴ γὰρ κοινοβιάρχης εἰμὶ, ἵνα διατάξω αὐτῷ; Ἐγὼ τέως, οὐδὲν λέγω αὐτῷ· ἀλλ᾽ ἐὰν θέλῃ, ὅ βλέπει με ποιοῦντα, ποιήσει καὶ αὐτός. Ἀπὸ τότε οὖν, προελάμβανον καὶ ἐποίουν, εἴ τι ἔμελλεν ὁ γέρων ποιεῖν. Αὐτὸς δε εἴ τι ἐποίει, σιωπῶν ἐποίει· καὶ τοῦτό με ἐδίδαξε, τὸ ποιεῖν σιωπῶντα. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Isaac said, “When I was young, I lived with abba Cronius; and he never told me to do any work, though he was old and trembling; but he got up himself and offered the jug to me and to everyone alike. And I lived with abba Theodore of Pherme, and he too never told me to do anything; but he set the table himself and said, ‘Brother, if you want, come and eat.’ And I said to him, ‘Abba, I came to you to be helped; why do you not tell me to do anything?’ But the old man kept completely silent. And I went and told the old men. And the old men came to him and said to him, ‘Abba, the brother came to your holiness to be helped; why do you not tell him to do anything?’ And the old man says to them, ‘Am I the head of a community, to give him orders? For my part, I tell him nothing; but if he wishes, what he sees me doing he will do himself.’ So from then on I anticipated him and did whatever the old man was about to do. And whatever he did, he did in silence; and this he taught me: to work in silence.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 47.2 (PG 65:223; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-2). ## Isaac, priest of the Cells 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-47-3 - Source: PG 65:223–225 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isaac weeps that the great Fathers are dead and the monks are left orphans. ### Greek text Ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰσαὰκ, καὶ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀβραάμ, ἦσαν. ὅμου οἰκοῦντες· καὶ εἰσελθὼν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀβραάμ, εὖρε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰσαὰκ κλαίοντα καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ Τί κλαίεις Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων· Καὶ διατί μὴ κλαύσωμεν; Ποῦ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀπελθεῖν; ἐκοιμήθησαν οἱ Πατέρες ἡμῶν. Οὐκ ἤρκει γὰρ ἡμῖν τὸ ἐργόχειρον εἰς τὰ ναῦλα τῶν πλοίων, ἃ παρείχομεν ἀπερχόμενοι παραβαλεῖν τοῖς γέρουσι. Νῦν οὖν ἀπωρφανίσθημεν. Διὰ τοῦτο κἀγὼ κλαίω. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Isaac and abba Abraham lived together; and abba Abraham came in and found abba Isaac weeping, and says to him, “Why are you weeping?” And the old man said, “And why should we not weep? Where are we to go? Our Fathers have fallen asleep. Our handiwork was not enough for the boat fares we paid going to visit the old men. Now we have been orphaned. That is why I weep.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 47.3 (PG 65:223–225; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-3). ## Isaac, priest of the Cells 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-47-4 - Source: PG 65:225 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A reaping brother asks leave to eat even one ear of wheat, to the owner’s astonishment. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰσαάκ Οἶδα ἀδελφὸν θερίζοντα ἐν ἀγρῷ, καὶ ἠθέλησε φαγεῖν στάχυν σίτου καὶ εἶπε τῷ κυρίῳ τοῦ ἀγροῦ· Θέλεις φάγω ἕνα στάχυν σίτου Ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας, ἐθαύμασε, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Σός ἐστιν ὁ ἀγρὸς, Πάτερ, κἀμὲ ἐρωτᾷς; Ἕως τούτου ἠκριβάζετο ὁ ἀδελφός. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Isaac said, “I know a brother who was reaping in a field and wanted to eat an ear of wheat, and he said to the owner of the field, ‘Will you let me eat one ear of wheat?’ Hearing this, he marveled and said to him, ‘The field is yours, father, and you ask me?’ So exact was the brother.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 47.4 (PG 65:225; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-4). ## Isaac, priest of the Cells 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-47-5 - Source: PG 65:225 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isaac forbids bringing boys to Scetis, blaming them for the ruin of four churches. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς· Μὴ φέρετε ὧδε παιδία. Τέσσαρες γὰρ ἐκκλησίαι εἰς Σκῆτιν ἔρημοι γεγόνασι διὰ τὰ παιδία. ### English translation (Claude) He also said to the brothers, “Do not bring boys here. For four churches at Scetis have become deserted because of boys.” ### Translation notes - The saying reflects the monks’ fear of sexual temptation and scandal; translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 47.5 (PG 65:225; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-5). ## Isaac, priest of the Cells 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-47-6 - Source: PG 65:225 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isaac ate the censer ashes with his bread. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰσαὰκ, ὅτι τὴν σποδὸν τοῦ θυμιατηρίου τῆς προσφορᾶς, μετὰ τοῦ ἄρτου ἥσθιεν αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Isaac that he used to eat the ashes from the censer of the offering with his bread. ### Scripture references - Ps 102:9 (101:10 LXX): echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Cf. Ps 102:9 (LXX 101:10), “I have eaten ashes like bread.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 47.6 (PG 65:225; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-6). ## Isaac, priest of the Cells 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-47-7 - Source: PG 65:225 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isaac rebukes the brothers for fine clothing and gives up giving them commands they ignore. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰσαὰκ τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς, ὅτι Οἱ Πατέρες ἡμῶν, καὶ ὁ ἀββᾶς Παμβὼ, παλαιὰ πολύβῥαφα ἐφόρουν καὶ σεβέννια νῦν δὲ πολύτιμα φορεῖτε. Ὑπάγετε ἔνθεν, ἠρημώσατε τὰ ὧδε. Ὅτε δὲ ἔμελλεν σε ὑπάγειν εἰς τὸ θέρος, ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· Οὐκ ἔτι παρέχω ὑμῖν ἐντολὰς οὐ φυλάσσετε γάρ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Isaac said to the brothers, “Our Fathers and abba Pambo wore old garments much patched and palm-fiber clothing; but now you wear expensive clothes. Go away from here; you have laid this place waste.” And when he was about to go to the harvest, he said to them, “I will no longer give you commandments, for you do not keep them.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 47.7 (PG 65:225; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-7). ## Isaac, priest of the Cells 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-47-8 - Source: PG 65:225 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isaac drives out a brother whose fashionable hood marks him as worldly. ### Greek text Διηγήσατό τις τῶν Πατέρων, ὅτι ἦλθέ ποτέ τις τῶν ἀδελφῶν φορῶν μικρὸν κουσσούλιον εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν τῶν Κελλίων ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰσαάκ· καὶ ἐδίωξεν αὐτὸν ὁ γέρων λέγων ὅτι, Τὰ ὧδε μοναχῶν ἐστι· σὺ δὲ κοσμικὸς ῶν, οὐ δύνασαι μεῖναι ὧδε. ### English translation (Claude) One of the Fathers related that once a brother came to the church of the Cells wearing a small hood, in abba Isaac’s presence; and the old man drove him out, saying, “What is here is for monks; but you, being a layman, cannot stay here.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 47.8 (PG 65:225; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-8). ## Isaac, priest of the Cells 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-47-9 - Source: PG 65:225 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isaac never kept a grudge in his cell, nor let a brother keep one against him. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰσαὰκ ὅτι, Οὐδέποτε εἰσήνεγκα εἰς τὸ κελλίον μου λογισμὸν κατὰ ἀδελφοῦ θλίψαντός με. Κἀγὼ ἐσπούδασα μὴ ἀφεῖναι ἀδελφὸν εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ, ἔχοντα κατ᾿ ἐμοῦ λογισμόν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Isaac said, “I have never brought into my cell a thought against a brother who grieved me. And I have been careful not to let a brother go into his cell holding a thought against me.” ### Scripture references - Eph 4:26: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 47.9 (PG 65:225; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-9). ## Isaac, priest of the Cells 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-47-10 - Source: PG 65:225 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isaac refuses sweetened gruel, wishing to bear his illness for thirty years. ### Greek text Ἠσθένησε μεγάλην ἀσθένειαν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰσαὰκ, καὶ ἐχρόνισεν ἐν αὐτῇ ἐποίησε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφὸς μικρὰν ἀθήραν, καὶ ἔδωκε μυξάρια εἰς αὐτήν· καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν ὁ γέρων γεύσασθαι Καὶ παρεκάλει ὁ ἀδελφὸς λέγων Λάβε μικρὸν, ἀββᾶ, διὰ τὴν ἀσθένειαν. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Φύσει, ἀδελφὲ ἤθελον ποιῆσαι ἐν τῇ ἀσθενείᾳ ταύτῃ τριάκοντα ἔτη. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Isaac fell seriously ill and was ill for a long time; and the brother made him a little gruel and put prunes in it; and the old man would not taste it. And the brother urged him, saying, “Take a little, abba, because of the illness.” And the old man says to him, “Truly, brother, I would like to spend thirty years in this illness.” ### Translation notes - μυξάρια is taken as prunes (or sebesten plums). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 47.10 (PG 65:225; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-10). ## Isaac, priest of the Cells 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-47-11 - Source: PG 65:225–227 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Dying, Isaac tells the monks to keep God’s commandments as he did, and they will be kept safe. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰσαὰκ, ὅτι μέλλοντος αὐτοῦ τελευτᾷν, συνῆλθον πρὸς αὐτὸν οἱ γέροντες, καὶ ἔλεγον Τί ποιήσομεν μετὰ σὲ, Πάτερ; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ἴδετε πῶς ἐπορεύθην ἐνώπιον ὑμῶν ἐὰν θέλητε καὶ ὑμεῖς ἀκολουθῆσαι, καὶ φυλάξαι τὰς ἐντολὰς τοῦ Θεοῦ, πέμπει τὴν χάριν αὐτοῦ, καὶ φυλάσσει τὸν τόπον τοῦτον. Ἐὰν δὲ μὴ φυλάξητε, οὐ μὴ μείνητε ἐν τῷ τόπῳ τούτῳ. Καὶ ἡμεῖς γὰρ ὅταν ἤμελλον ἀποθανεῖν οἱ Πατέρες ἡμῶν, ἐλυπούμεθα ἀλλὰ τὰς ἐντολὰς τοῦ Κυρίου καὶ αὐτῶν τὰς παραγγελίας τηροῦντες, ἑστήκαμεν, ὡς αὐτῶν ὄντων μεθ᾽ ἡμῶν. Οὕτως καὶ ὑμεῖς ποιήσατε, καὶ σώζεσθε. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Isaac that when he was about to die, the old men gathered to him and said, “What shall we do after you, father?” He said, “See how I have walked before you; if you too are willing to follow and keep the commandments of God, he will send his grace and guard this place. But if you do not keep them, you will not remain in this place. For we too, when our Fathers were about to die, were grieved; but keeping the commandments of the Lord and their instructions, we stood firm, as though they were with us. So you too do the same, and you will be saved.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 47.11 (PG 65:225–227; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-11). ## Isaac, priest of the Cells 12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-47-12 - Source: PG 65:227 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A monk’s garment should be so poor that no one would steal it. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰσαάκ, ὅτι Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Παμβὼ, ὅτι τοιοῦτον ὀφείλει ὁ μοναχὸς φορεῖν ἱμάτιον, ὥστε βάλλειν αὐτὸ ἔξω τοῦ κελλίου ἐπὶ τρεῖς ἡμέρας, καὶ μηδεὶς λάβῃ αὐτό. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Isaac said that abba Pambo used to say that a monk ought to wear such a garment that he could throw it outside his cell for three days and no one would take it. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 47.12 (PG 65:227; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-12). ## Joseph of Panephysis 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-48-1 - Source: PG 65:227 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Joseph shows by changing clothes that one can be welcoming to visitors yet unchanged within. ### Greek text Ἀνῆλθόν δε τινες τῶν Πατέρων πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰωσὴφ εἰς Πανεφὼ, ἵνα ἐρωτήσωσιν αὐτὸν περὶ τῆς ἀπαντήσεως τῶν ἀδελφῶν τῶν ξενιζομένων πρὸς αὐτοὺς, εἰ χρὴ συγκαταβαίνειν καὶ παῤῥησιάζεσθαι πρὸς αὐτούς. Καὶ πρὸ τοῦ ἐρωτηθῆναι αὐτὸν, εἶπεν ὁ γέρων τῷ μαθητῇ αὐτοῦ· Κατανόησον ὅ μέλλω ποιεῖν σήμερον, καὶ ὑπόμεινον. Καὶ ἔθηκεν ὁ γέρων δύο ἐμβρίμια ἓν ἐκ δεξιῶν, καὶ ἓν ἐξ ἀριστερῶν αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπε· Καθίσατε. Καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὴν κέλλαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐφόρεσεν ἱμάτια ἐπαιτικά καὶ ἐξελθὼν ἐπέρασεν ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν. Καὶ πάλιν εἰσελθὼν, ἐφόρεσε τὰ ἴδια ἱμάτια καὶ ἐξελθὼν πάλιν ἐκάθισεν ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν. Αὐτοὶ δὲ ἐξέστησαν ἐπὶ τῷ ἔργῳ τοῦ γέροντος. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Κατενοήσατε ἐποίησα; Λέγουσι· Ναί. Μὴ ἠλλάγην ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀτίμου φορέματος; Λέγουσιν Οὔ. Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς Εἰ οὖν αὐτὸς ἐγώ εἰμι ἐν ἀμφοτέροις ὡς τὸ πρῶτον οὐκ ἤλλαξέ με, οὕτως οὐδὲ τὸ δεύτερον ἔβλαψέ με· οὕτως οὖν βι ὀφείλομεν ποιεῖν εἰς τὴν ὑποδοχὴν τῶν ξένων ἀδελφῶν κατὰ τὸ ἅγιον Εὐαγγέλιον. Δότε γὰρ, φησὶ, τὰ Καίσαρος Καίσαρι, καὶ τὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ τῷ Θεῷ Ὅτε οὖν ἐστι παρουσία ἀδελφῶν, μετὰ παῤῥησίας δεξώμεθα αὐτούς. Ὅτε δὲ καταμόνας ἐσμὲν, χρείαν ἔχομεν τοῦ πένθους, ἵνα παραμείνῃ ἡμῖν. Οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες ἐθαύμασαν, ὅτι καὶ τὰ ἐν καρδίᾳ αὐτῶν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς πρὶν ἐρωτήσωσιν αὐτόν· καὶ ἐδόξασαν τὸν Θεόν. ### English translation (Claude) Some of the Fathers went up to abba Joseph at Panephysis to ask him about meeting the visiting brothers who stay with them, whether one should accommodate oneself and be free with them. And before he was asked, the old man said to his disciple, “Watch what I am going to do today, and wait.” And the old man set two mats, one on his right and one on his left, and said, “Sit down.” And he went into his cell and put on a beggar’s clothes; and coming out he passed through the middle of them. And going in again, he put on his own clothes; and coming out again he sat down in the middle of them. They were amazed at the old man’s action. And he said to them, “Did you notice what I did?” They say, “Yes.” “Was I changed by the shabby garment?” They say, “No.” And he says to them, “If I am the same in both, as the first did not change me, so neither did the second harm me. So we ought to do in receiving visiting brothers, according to the holy Gospel. For it says, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ So when brothers are present, let us receive them freely; but when we are alone, we need mourning, so that it may remain with us.” Hearing this, they marveled that he had told them what was in their hearts before they asked him; and they glorified God. ### Scripture references - Matt 22:21: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Matt 22:21. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 48.1 (PG 65:227; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/48-1). ## Joseph of Panephysis 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-48-2 - Source: PG 65:227 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Joseph counsels asking “Who am I?” and judging no one. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἰωσήφ· Εἰπέ μοι πῶς γένωμαι μοναχός; Καὶ εἶπεν· Εἰ θέλεις εὑρεῖν ἀνάπαυσιν καὶ ὧδε καὶ ἐκεῖ, ἐπὶ παντὶ πράγματι λέγε· Ἐγὼ τίς εἰμι; καὶ μὴ κρίνῃς τινά. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said to abba Joseph, “Tell me, how may I become a monk?” And he said, “If you want to find rest both here and there, say in every matter, ‘Who am I?’ and do not judge anyone.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 48.2 (PG 65:227; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/48-2). ## Joseph of Panephysis 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-48-3 - Source: PG 65:227–229 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Joseph gives Poemen and a Theban opposite counsel on the passions, each according to his strength. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς πάλιν ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰωσὴφ, λέγων· Τί ποιήσω, ὅταν προσεγγίζῃ τὰ πάθη; Αντιστῶ αὐτοῖς, ἢ ἀφήσω εἰσελθεῖν; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἄφες αὐτὰ εἰσελθεῖν, καὶ πολέμησον μετ᾿ αὐτῶν. Ἀνακάμψας οὖν ἐν Σκήτει, ἐκάθητο· καὶ ἐλθών τις τῶν Θηβαίων ἐν Σκήτει, ἔλεγε τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς, ὅτι Ἠρώτησα τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰωσὴφ, λέγων· Ἐὰν προσεγγίσῃ μοι πάθος, ἀντιστῶ αὐτῷ, ἢ ἀφήσω εἰσελθεῖν; Καὶ εἶπέ μοι· Μὴ ἀφήσῃς ὅλως εἰσελθεῖν τὰ πάθη, ἀλλ᾽ εὐθέως ἔκκοψον αὐτά. Ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι οὕτως εἶπε τῷ Θηβαίῳ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωσήφ, ἀναστὰς ἀπῆλθε πρὸς αὐτὸν εἰς Πανεφὼ, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, ἐγὼ ἐπίστευσά σοι τοὺς λογισμούς μου· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄλλως εἶπας ἐμοὶ, καὶ ἄλλως τῷ Θηβαίῳ. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Οὐκ οἶδας ὅτι ἀγαπῶ σε; Καὶ εἶπε· Ναί. Οὐ σὺ ἔλεγές μοι· Ὡς ἑαυτῷ εἰπέ μοι; Καὶ εἶπεν· Οὕτως ἔχει. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἐὰν γὰρ εἰσέλθῃ τὰ πάθη, καὶ δῶς καὶ λάβῃς μετ' αὐτῶν, δοκιμώτερόν σε καθιστῶσιν. Ἐγὼ δὲ ὡς ἐμαυτῷ ἐλάλησά σοι. Εἰσὶ δὲ ἄλλοι, οἷς οὐδὲ προσεγγίσαι τὰ πάθη συμφέρει· ἀλλ᾽ εὐθέως ἐκκόψαι αὐτὰ χρείαν ἔχουσιν. ### English translation (Claude) The same again asked abba Joseph, saying, “What shall I do when the passions come near? Shall I resist them, or let them come in?” The old man says to him, “Let them come in, and fight with them.” So he went back and lived at Scetis; and one of the Thebans came to Scetis and said to the brothers, “I asked abba Joseph, saying, ‘If a passion comes near me, shall I resist it, or let it come in?’ And he told me, ‘Do not let the passions come in at all, but cut them off at once.’” When abba Poemen heard that abba Joseph had said this to the Theban, he got up and went to him at Panephysis and says to him, “Abba, I entrusted my thoughts to you, and look, you told me one thing and the Theban another.” The old man says to him, “Do you not know that I love you?” And he said, “Yes.” “Did you not say to me, ‘Tell me as you would tell yourself’?” And he said, “It is so.” The old man says to him, “For if the passions come in and you give and take with them, they make you more tested. I spoke to you as to myself. But there are others for whom it is not good even to let the passions come near; they need to cut them off at once.” ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed; the name of Poemen, half lost in the scan (“ἀββᾶ; μὴν”), is restored. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 48.3 (PG 65:227–229; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/48-3). ## Joseph of Panephysis 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-48-4 - Source: PG 65:229 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: One who can do nothing else can be saved by keeping his conscience clean toward his neighbor. ### Greek text Ἀδελφός τις ἠρώτησε ἀββᾶν Ἰωσὴφ, λέγων· Τί ποιήσω, ὅτι οὔτε κακοπαθῆσαι δύναμαι, οὐδὲ ἐργάσασθαι καὶ δοῦναι ἀγάπην; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Εἰ οὐ δύνασαι τούτων οὐδὲ ἓν ποιῆσαι, κἂν τήρησον τὴν συνείδησίν σου ἀπὸ τοῦ πλησίον σου ἀπὸ παντὸς κακοῦ· καὶ σώζῃ ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Joseph, saying, “What shall I do, since I can neither endure hardship nor work and give alms?” The old man says to him, “If you cannot do even one of these, at least keep your conscience clear of every evil toward your neighbor; and you will be saved.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 48.4 (PG 65:229; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/48-4). ## Joseph of Panephysis 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-48-5 - Source: PG 65:229 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Joseph explains that elders test new monks with crooked commands before telling them the truth. ### Greek text Ἔλεγέ τις τῶν ἀδελφῶν, ὅτι Παρέβαλόν ποτε εἰς Ἡρακλέος τὴν κάτω πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰωσήφ· καὶ εἶχεν ἐν τῷ μοναστηρίῳ συκάμινον ὡραῖον πάνυ. Καὶ λέγει μοι ἀπὸ πρωΐ· Ὕπαγε, φάγε· ἦν δὲ παρασκευὴ, καὶ οὐκ ἀπῆλθον διὰ τὴν νηστείαν. Καὶ παρακαλέσας αὐτὸν εἶπον· Διὰ τὸν Θεὸν, εἰπέ μοι τὸν λογισμὸν τοῦτον· ἰδοὺ σὺ ἔλεγές μοι· Ὕπαγε, φάγε· ἐγὼ δὲ διὰ τὴν νηστείαν οὐκ ἀπῆλθον, καὶ ἤμην αἰσχυνόμενος τὴν σὴν ἐντολὴν λογιζόμενος, Ποίῳ λογισμῷ ἔλεγέ μοι ὁ γέρων; Τί οὖν εἶχον ποιῆσαι; ὅτι ἑλεγές μοι, Ὕπαγε. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Οἱ Πατέρες ἐξ ἀρχῆς οὐ λαλοῦσι τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς τὸ ὀρθὸν, ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον τὰ στρεβλά· καὶ ἐὰν ἴδωσιν ὅτι ποιοῦσι τὰ στρεβλὰ, οὐκ ἔτι λαλοῦσιν αὐτοῖς τὰ στρεβλὰ, ἀλλὰ τὴν ἀλήθειαν· εἰδότες, ὅτι εἰς πάντα ὑπήκοοί εἰσιν. ### English translation (Claude) One of the brothers said, “Once I visited abba Joseph at lower Heracleopolis; and he had a very fine mulberry tree in the monastery. And early in the morning he says to me, ‘Go, eat.’ It was Friday, and I did not go because of the fast. And I begged him and said, ‘For God’s sake, tell me your thought in this: look, you told me, “Go, eat,” but I did not go because of the fast, and I was ashamed, thinking of your command, “With what thought did the old man tell me this? What then should I have done, since you told me, ‘Go’?”’ He said, ‘At the beginning the Fathers do not tell the brothers what is straight, but rather what is crooked; and if they see that they do the crooked things, they no longer tell them crooked things but the truth, knowing that they are obedient in everything.’” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 48.5 (PG 65:229; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/48-5). ## Joseph of Panephysis 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-48-6 - Source: PG 65:229 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Joseph says a monk must become wholly like fire. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωσὴφ τῷ ἀββᾷ Λώτ· Οὐ δύνασαι γενέσθαι μοναχὸς, ἐὰν μὴ γένῃ ὡς πῦρ φλογιζόμενος ὅλος. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Joseph said to abba Lot, “You cannot become a monk unless you become wholly like a blazing fire.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 48.6 (PG 65:229; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/48-6). ## Joseph of Panephysis 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-48-7 - Source: PG 65:229 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Joseph’s fingers become like ten flames as he tells Lot to become wholly like fire. ### Greek text Παρέβαλεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Λὼτ τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἰωσὴφ, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἀββᾶ, κατὰ δύναμίν μου ποιῶ τὴν μικράν μου σύναξιν, καὶ τὴν μικρὰν νηστείαν μου, καὶ τὴν εὐχὴν, καὶ τὴν μελέτην, καὶ τὴν ἡσυχίαν, καὶ τὸ κατὰ δύναμίν μου καθαρεύω τοῖς λογισμοῖς. Τί οὖν ἔχω ποιῆσαι λοιπόν;. Ἀναστὰς οὖν ὁ γέρων, ἤπλωσε τὰς χεῖρας εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν· καὶ γεγόνασιν οἱ δάκτυλοι αὐτοῦ, ὡς δέκα λαμπάδες πυρός· καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Εἰ θέλεις, γενοῦ ὅλος ὡς πῦρ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Lot visited abba Joseph and says to him, “Abba, as far as I can I keep my little office, my little fast, prayer, meditation, and stillness, and as far as I can I keep my thoughts clean. What more should I do?” The old man got up and spread his hands toward heaven; and his fingers became like ten lamps of fire; and he says to him, “If you wish, become wholly like fire.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 48.7 (PG 65:229; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/48-7). ## Joseph of Panephysis 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-48-8 - Source: PG 65:229–231 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Joseph tells a brother to weigh community and solitude and choose where his soul profits more. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰωσὴφ, λέγων ὅτι, Θέλω ἐξελθεῖν ἀπὸ τοῦ κοινοβίου, καὶ καθίσαι καταμόνας. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ὅπου βλέπεις τὴν ψυχήν σου ἀναπαυομένην καὶ μὴ βλαπτομένην, κάθισον. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφός· Καὶ εἰς κοινόβιον ἀναπαύομαι, καὶ καταμόνας· τἱ οὖν θέλεις ποιήσω; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Εἰ ἀναπαύῃ εἰς τὸ κοινόβιο καὶ καταμόνας, στῆσον τοὺς δύο λογισμούς σου ὡς ἐν ζυγῷ· καὶ ὅπου βλέπεις ὅτι μᾶλλον ἐκεῖ ὠφελεῖται καὶ κατάγει ὁ λογισμός σου, τοῦτο ποίησον. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Joseph, saying, “I want to leave the community and live alone.” And the old man says to him, “Wherever you see your soul at rest and not harmed, stay there.” The brother says to him, “I am at rest both in the community and alone; what then do you want me to do?” The old man says to him, “If you are at rest in the community and alone, put your two thoughts as on a scale; and where you see that your thought benefits more and inclines, do that.” ### Translation notes - A variant note is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 48.8 (PG 65:229–231; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/48-8). ## Joseph of Panephysis 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-48-9 - Source: PG 65:231 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: An elder who has never learned his disciple’s name in two years shows his detachment. ### Greek text Παρέλαβέ τις τῶν γερόντων πρὸς τὸν ἑταῖρον αὐτοῦ, ἵνα ἀπελθόντες ἐπισκέψωνται τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰωσήφ· καὶ λέγει· Εἰπὲ τῷ μαθητῇ σου, ἵνα στρώσῃ ἡμῖν τὸν ὄνον. Καὶ λέγει· Φώνησον αὐτόν· καὶ εἴ τι θέλεις ποιεῖ. Λέγει· Τίς καλεῖται; Ὁ δὲ ἔφη· Οὐκ οἶδα. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Πόσον χρόνον ἔχει μετὰ σοῦ, ὅτι οὐκ οἶδας τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ; Καὶ εἶπεν· Ἔχει δύο ἔτη. Ὁ δὲ ἔφη Εἰ σὺ δύο ἔτη οὐκ οἶδας τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ μαθητοῦ σου, ἐγὼ εἰς μίαν ἡμέραν τί ἔχω χρείαν μαθεῖν αὐτό; ### English translation (Claude) One of the old men took his companion along so that they might go and visit abba Joseph; and he says, “Tell your disciple to saddle the donkey for us.” And he says, “Call him, and he will do whatever you want.” He says, “What is his name?” He said, “I do not know.” And he says to him, “How long has he been with you, that you do not know his name?” And he said, “Two years.” He said, “If you have not known your disciple’s name for two years, what need have I to learn it for one day?” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 48.9 (PG 65:231; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/48-9). ## Joseph of Panephysis 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-48-10 - Source: PG 65:231 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Joseph rejoices that he is a king that day, having ruled over the passions. ### Greek text Συνήχθησαν ἀδελφοί ποτε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰωσήφ· καὶ καθημένων αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐπερωτώντων αὐτὸν, ἔχαιρε· καὶ προθυμούμενος ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· Ἐγὼ βασιλεύς εἰμι σήμερον· ἐβασίλευσα γὰρ ἐπὶ τὰ πάθη. ### English translation (Claude) Once brothers gathered to abba Joseph; and as they sat and questioned him, he was joyful; and full of eagerness he said to them, “I am a king today; for I have reigned over the passions.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 48.10 (PG 65:231; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/48-10). ## Joseph of Panephysis 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-48-11 - Source: PG 65:231 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Dying, Joseph drives away the devil with his staff. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰωσὴφ τῆς Πανεφώ, ὅτι μέλλοντος αὐτοῦ τελευτᾶν, καθημένων γερόντων, προσχών πρὸς τὴν θυρίδα, εἶδε τὸν διάβολον καθήμενον πρὸς τῇ θυρίδι· καὶ φωνήσας τῷ μαθητῇ αὐτοῦ, ἔλεγε· Φέρε τὴν ῥάβδον· νομίζει γὰρ οὗτος ὅτι ἐγέρασα, καὶ οὐκ ἔτι δύναμαι πρὸς αὐτόν. Καὶ ὡς κατέσχε τὴν ῥάβδον, εἶδοντο οἱ γέροντες ὅτι ἐχάλασεν ἑαυτὸν ὡς κύων διὰ τῆς θυρίδος, καὶ ἀφανὴς ἐγένετο. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Joseph of Panephysis that when he was about to die, while some old men were sitting there, he looked toward the window and saw the devil sitting at the window; and calling his disciple, he said, “Bring the staff; for this one thinks that I have grown old and can no longer stand against him.” And as he grasped the staff, the old men saw the devil let himself down through the window like a dog and vanish. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 48.11 (PG 65:231; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/48-11). ## James 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-49-1 - Source: PG 65:231 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Exile is greater than hospitality. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰάκωβος ὅτι, Μεῖζόν ἐστι τὸ ξενιτεῦσαι παρὰ τὸ ξενοδοχεῖν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba James said, “It is greater to live as a stranger than to receive strangers.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 49.1 (PG 65:231; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/49-1). ## James 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-49-2 - Source: PG 65:231 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: When praised, remember your sins and unworthiness. ### Greek text Ἔλεγε πάλιν, ὅτι ἐπαινούμενον, δεῖ λογίζεσθαι τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐννοεῖν ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἄξιος τῶν λεγομένων. ### English translation (Claude) He also said that one who is praised must think of his sins and consider that he is not worthy of what is said. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 49.2 (PG 65:231; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/49-2). ## James 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-49-3 - Source: PG 65:231 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The fear of God lights the heart like a lamp. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Ὥσπερ λύχνος ἐν σκοτεινῷ κοιτῶνι φωτίζει, οὕτως καὶ ὁ φόβος τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὅταν ἔλθῃ εἰς καρδίαν ἀνθρώπου, φωτίζει αὐτὸν, καὶ διδάσκει πάσας τὰς ἀρετὰς καὶ τὰς ἐντολὰς τοῦ Θεοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “As a lamp lights a dark room, so the fear of God, when it comes into a man’s heart, enlightens him and teaches him all the virtues and the commandments of God.” ### Scripture references - Prov 1:7: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 49.3 (PG 65:231; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/49-3). ## James 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-49-4 - Source: PG 65:231 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Deeds, not fruitless words, are what is needed. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν Οὐκ ἔστι χρεία λόγων μόνον· εἰσὶ γὰρ πολλοὶ λόγοι ἐν τοῖς ἀνθρώποις ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τούτῳ. Ἀλλὰ χρεία ἐστὶν ἔργου· αὐτὸ γάρ ἐστι τὸ ζητούμενον, καὶ οὐ λόγοι, οἵτινες οὐκ ἔχουσι καρπόν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “There is no need of words alone; for there are many words among people in this time. But there is need of work; for this is what is sought, and not words, which bear no fruit.” ### Scripture references - Jas 1:22: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 49.4 (PG 65:231; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/49-4). ## Hierax 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-50-1 - Source: PG 65:231 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hierax counsels staying in the cell and speaking ill of no one. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἱέρακα, λέγων· Εἰπέ μοι λόγον, πῶς σωθῶ; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Κάθου εἰς τὸ κελλίον σου· ἐὰν πεινᾷς, φάγε· ἐὰν διψᾷς, πίε· καὶ μὴ κακολογήσῃς τινά καὶ σώζῃ. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Hierax, saying, “Tell me a word: how may I be saved?” The old man says to him, “Sit in your cell; if you are hungry, eat; if you are thirsty, drink; and do not speak evil of anyone; and you will be saved.” ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 50.1 (PG 65:231; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/50-1). ## Hierax 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-50-2 - Source: PG 65:231 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hierax never spoke or sought to hear worldly talk. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς εἶπεν, ὅτι Οὐδέποτε κοσμικὸν λόγον ἢ εἶπον, ἢ ἠθέλησα ἀκοῦσαι. ### English translation (Claude) The same said, “I have never spoken a worldly word nor wanted to hear one.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 50.2 (PG 65:231; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/50-2). ## John the Eunuch 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-51-1 - Source: PG 65:231–233 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: An elder tells John that monks who put God’s work first find it easy; those who put the body first struggle. ### Greek text Ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης ὁ εὐνοῦχος, νεώτερος ὧν ἠρώτησε γέροντα, λέγων Πῶς ὑμεῖς ἡδυνήθητε ποιῆσαι τὸ ἔργον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν ἀναπαύσει· ἡμεῖς δὲ οὐδὲ μετὰ κόπου ποιῆσαι δυνάμεθα; Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων Ἡμεῖς ἡδυνήθημεν, ἐπειδὴ κεφάλαιον ἔχομεν τὸ ἔργον τοῦ Θεοῦ, τὴν δὲ χρείαν τὴν σωματικὴν ἐλάχιστον· ὑμεῖς δὲ κεφάλαιον ἔχετε τὴν σωματικὴν χρείαν, τὸ δὲ ἔργον τοῦ Θεοῦ οὐκ ἀναγκαιότερον. Διὰ τοῦτο κάμνετε, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ὁ Σωτὴρ εἶπε τοῖς μαθηταῖς· Ὀλιγόπιστοι, ζητεῖτε πρῶτον τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ταῦτα πάντα προστεθήσεται ὑμῖν. ### English translation (Claude) When abba John the eunuch was young, he asked an old man, saying, “How were you able to do the work of God with ease, while we cannot do it even with labor?” And the old man says, “We were able, because we held the work of God as the chief thing and bodily need as the least; but you hold bodily need as the chief thing, and the work of God as not so necessary. That is why you grow weary, and that is why the Savior said to the disciples, ‘You of little faith, seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you.’” ### Scripture references - Matt 6:30: quotation, high confidence - Matt 6:33: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Matt 6:30, 33. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 51.1 (PG 65:231–233; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/51-1). ## John the Eunuch 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-51-2 - Source: PG 65:233 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony never put his own advantage before his brother’s good. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης, ὅτι ὁ Πατὴρ ἡμῶν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος εἶπεν, ὅτι Οὐδέποτε τὸ ἑαυτοῦ συμφέρον προέκρινα τῆς τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ μου ὠφελείας. ### English translation (Claude) Abba John said that our father abba Antony said, “I have never preferred my own advantage to my brother’s benefit.” ### Scripture references - 1 Cor 10:24: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 51.2 (PG 65:233; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/51-2). ## John the Cilician (of Raithou) 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-51-3 - Source: PG 65:233 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John of Raithou urges fleeing the flesh’s desires as well as the world. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης ὁ Κίληξ ὁ ἡγούμενος τῆς Ῥαϊθοῦ, τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς· Τέκνα, ὡς ἐφύγομεν τὸν κόσμον, φύγωμεν καὶ τὰς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς σαρκός! ### English translation (Claude) Abba John the Cilician, superior of Raithou, said to the brothers, “Children, as we have fled the world, let us flee the desires of the flesh too!” ### Translation notes - This and the next three sayings belong to John the Cilician, abbot of Raithou in Sinai, though the staging places them under John the eunuch. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 51.3 (PG 65:233; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/51-3). ## John the Cilician (of Raithou) 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-51-4 - Source: PG 65:233 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Imitate the austerity and stillness of the Fathers. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν Μιμησώμεθα τοὺς Πατέρας ἡμῶν· μετὰ ποίας σκληραγωγίας καὶ ἡσυχίας ἐκάθισαν ὧδε. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Let us imitate our Fathers: with what austerity and stillness they lived here.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 51.4 (PG 65:233; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/51-4). ## John the Cilician (of Raithou) 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-51-5 - Source: PG 65:233 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Do not defile the place the Fathers cleansed of demons. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Μὴ ῥυπώσωμεν, τέκνα, τὸν τόπον τοῦτον, ὃν οἱ Πατέρες ἡμῶν ἐκαθάρισαν ἀπὸ δαιμόνων. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Let us not defile, children, this place which our Fathers cleansed of demons.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 51.5 (PG 65:233; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/51-5). ## John the Cilician (of Raithou) 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-51-6 - Source: PG 65:233 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The monastery is for ascetics, not traders. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ὁ τόπος οὗτος ἀσκητῶν ἐστιν, οὐ πραγματευτῶν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “This place is for ascetics, not for traders.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 51.6 (PG 65:233; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/51-6). ## John of the Cells 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-52-1 - Source: PG 65:233 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A rich prostitute, refused entry to church, repents, gives up her money to be burned, and becomes a chosen vessel. ### Greek text Διηγήσατο ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης τῶν Κελλίων, λέγων, ὅτι Μία πόρνη ἦν ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ, εὐμορφωτάτη καὶ πλουσία σφόδρα· καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες ἤρχοντο πρὸς αὐτήν. Μιᾷ οὖν τῶν ἡμερῶν εὐκαίρησεν ἐπὶ τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, καὶ ἠθέλησεν εἰσελθεῖν ἔσω. Ὁ δὲ ὑποδιάκονος, ὁ στήκων εἰς τὰς θύρας, οὐκ εἴασεν αὐτὴν, λέγων· Οὐκ εἰ ἀξία εἰσελθεῖν εἰς οἶκον Θεοῦ, ὅτι ἀκάθαρτος εἷ. Ὡς δὲ ἐμάχοντο, ἤκουσεν ὁ ἐπίσκοπος τοῦ θορύβου, καὶ ἐξῆλθε. Λέγει οὖν αὐτῷ ἡ πόρνη· Οὐκ ἀφίει με εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ ἐπίσκοπος Οὐκ ἔξεστί σοι εἰσελθεῖν, ὅτι ἀκάθαρτος εἶ. Ἡ δὲ κατανυγεῖσα λέγει αὐτῷ· Οὐκ ἔτι πορνεύω. Λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ ἐπίσκοπος· Ἐὰν φέρῃς ὧδε τὰ χρήματά σου, οἶδα ὅτι οὐ πορνεύεις ἔτι. Ὡς δὲ ἤνεγκε, λαβὼν ἔκαυσεν αὐτὰ πυρί. Καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, κλαίουσα καὶ λέγουσα· Εἰ ὧδε οὕτως μοι γέγονεν, ἐκεῖ τί ἔχω παθεῖν; Καὶ μετενόησε, καὶ γέγονε σκεῦος ἐκλογῆς. ### English translation (Claude) Abba John of the Cells related: “There was a prostitute in Egypt, very beautiful and very rich; and the magistrates came to her. One day she happened to be at the church and wanted to go inside. But the subdeacon standing at the doors would not let her, saying, ‘You are not worthy to enter the house of God, because you are unclean.’ As they were quarreling, the bishop heard the noise and came out. So the prostitute says to him, ‘He will not let me go into the church.’ And the bishop says to her, ‘It is not lawful for you to enter, because you are unclean.’ Pierced to the heart, she says to him, ‘I will no longer practice prostitution.’ The bishop says to her, ‘If you bring your money here, I will know that you no longer practice prostitution.’ When she brought it, he took it and burned it with fire. And she went into the church weeping and saying, ‘If this has happened to me here, what am I to suffer there?’ And she repented, and became a chosen vessel.” ### Scripture references - Acts 9:15: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - The story is told as written. “Chosen vessel”: Acts 9:15. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 52.1 (PG 65:233; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/52-1). ## John of the Cells 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-52-2 - Source: PG 65:233 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Humility is the monk’s first task, as the first beatitude shows. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης τῆς Θηβαΐδος Ὀφείλει ὁ μοναχὸς πρὸ πάντων τὴν ταπεινοφροσύνην κατορθῶσαι. Αὕτη γάρ ἐστιν ἡ πρώτη ἐντολὴ τοῦ Σωτῆρος, λέγοντος· Μακάριοι οἱ πτωχοὶ τῷ πνεύματι, ὅτι αὐτῶν ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba John of the Thebaid said, “The monk must before all else achieve humility. For this is the first commandment of the Savior, who says, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’” ### Scripture references - Matt 5:3: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Matt 5:3. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 52.2 (PG 65:233; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/52-2). ## Isidore the priest 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-53-1 - Source: PG 65:233–235 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isidore refuses a meal invitation, citing Adam’s fall through food, the prowling devil, and Lot’s drunkenness. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰσιδώρου τοῦ πρεσβυτέρου, ὅτι ἦλθέ ποτέ τις ἀδελφὸς, ἵνα καλέσῃ αὐτὸν εἰς ἄριστον. Ὁ δὲ γέρων οὐκ ἠνέσχετο ἀπελθεῖν, λέγων, Ὅτι Αδάμ, τῷ βρώματι ἀπατηθεὶς, ἔξω τοῦ παραδείσου ηὐλίσθη. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφός Σὺ ὅλως φοβῇ ἐξελθεῖν τοῦ κελλίου σου; Ὁ δὲ πάλιν εἶπε Τέκνον, φοβοῦμαι, ὅτι ὁ διάβολος ὡς λέων ὠρυόμενος ζητεῖ τίνα καταπίῃ. Πολλάκις δὲ ἔλεγεν, ὅτι Ἐάν τις δῷ ἑαυτὸν εἰς οἰνοποσίαν, οὐ μὴ ἐκφύγῃ τὴν τῶν λογισμῶν ἐπιβουλήν. Καὶ γὰρ ὁ Λὼτ, ἀναγκασθεὶς ὑπὸ τῶν θυγατέρων αὐτοῦ, ἐμεθύσθη ἐκ τοῦ οἴνου, καὶ διὰ τῆς μέθης εὐχερῶς ὁ διάβολος εἰς ἄνομον πορνείαν αὐτὸν παρεσκεύασεν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Isidore the presbyter that once a brother came to invite him to a meal. But the old man would not consent to go, saying, “Adam, deceived by food, was made to live outside paradise.” The brother says to him, “Are you so afraid to go out of your cell?” He said again, “Child, I am afraid, because the devil like a roaring lion seeks someone to devour.” And he often said, “If someone gives himself to wine-drinking, he will not escape the plotting of thoughts. For Lot too, compelled by his daughters, became drunk with wine, and through drunkenness the devil easily led him into lawless sexual immorality.” ### Scripture references - Gen 3:6: allusion, medium confidence - 1 Pet 5:8: quotation, high confidence - Gen 19:33: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Adam: Gen 3:6, 23; quotation of 1 Pet 5:8; Lot: Gen 19:32–35. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 53.1 (PG 65:233–235; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/53-1). ## Isidore the priest 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-53-2 - Source: PG 65:235 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Desire for the kingdom means despising money. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰσίδωρος· Εἰ βασιλείας οὐρανῶν ἐρᾶς, χρημάτων καταφρόνει, καὶ τῆς θείας ἀμοιβῆς ἀντιποιοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Isidore said, “If you desire the kingdom of heaven, despise money and lay claim to the divine reward.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 53.2 (PG 65:235; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/53-2). ## Isidore the priest 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-53-3 - Source: PG 65:235 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: No one can live for God while loving pleasure and money. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ζῆσαί σε κατὰ Θεὸν, ἀδύνατον, φιλήδονον ὄντα καὶ φιλάργυρον. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “It is impossible for you to live according to God while being a lover of pleasure and a lover of money.” ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 3:4: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 53.3 (PG 65:235; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/53-3). ## Isidore the priest 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-53-4 - Source: PG 65:235 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Better to eat meat than to be proud of fasting. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Εἰ νομίμως ἀσκεῖτε νηστεύοντες, μὴ τυφοῦσθε· εἰ δὲ ἐπὶ τοῦτο αὐχεῖτε, μᾶλλον κρεωφαγεῖτε. Συμφέρει γὰρ ἀνθρώπῳ μᾶλλον κρέα ἐσθίειν, ἢ τυφοῦσθαι καὶ μεγαλαυχεῖν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “If you practice fasting lawfully, do not be puffed up; but if you boast of it, rather eat meat. For it is better for a man to eat meat than to be puffed up and boast.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 53.4 (PG 65:235; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/53-4). ## Isidore the priest 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-53-5 - Source: PG 65:235 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Disciples should both love and fear their teachers in balance. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Χρὴ τοὺς μαθητευομένους καὶ ὡς πατέρας φιλεῖν τοὺς ὄντως διδασκάλους, καὶ ὡς ἄρχοντας φοβεῖσθαι· καὶ μήτε διὰ τὴν ἀγάπην ἐκλύειν τὸν φόβον, μήτε διὰ τὸν φόβον ἀμαυροῦν τὴν ἀγάπην. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Disciples must love true teachers as fathers and fear them as rulers; and neither loosen fear because of love, nor dim love because of fear.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 53.5 (PG 65:235; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/53-5). ## Isidore the priest 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-53-6 - Source: PG 65:235 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Desire for salvation means doing all that leads to it. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Εἰ σωτηρίας ἐρᾷς, πάντα ποίει τὰ εἰς αὐτὴν ἄγοντά σε. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “If you desire salvation, do everything that leads you to it.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 53.6 (PG 65:235; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/53-6). ## Isidore the priest 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-53-7 - Source: PG 65:235 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isidore hides from visitors as beasts flee to their lairs. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰσιδώρου, ὅτι ὡς ὑπῆγεν ἀδελφὸς πρὸς αὐτὸν, ἔφευγεν ἐσώτερον τοῦ κελλίου. Καὶ ἔλεγον αὐτῷ οἱ ἀδελφοί· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, τί ἐστιν ὁ σὺ ποιεῖς; Καὶ ἔλεγεν, ὅτι Καὶ τὰ θηρία φεύγοντα εἰς τὰς κοίτας αὐτῶν σώζονται. Ταῦτα δὲ ἔλεγε διὰ τὴν ὠφέλειαν τῶν ἀδελφῶν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Isidore that whenever a brother went to him, he would flee into the inner part of his cell. And the brothers said to him, “Abba, what is this you are doing?” And he said, “Even the wild beasts are saved by fleeing into their lairs.” He said this for the brothers’ benefit. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 53.7 (PG 65:235; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/53-7). ## John the Persian 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-54-1 - Source: PG 65:235 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John the Persian refuses to rebuke a sinner, since God himself is patient. ### Greek text Ἦλθέ ποτε παιδίον θεραπευθῆναι ἀπὸ δαίμονος· καὶ παρέβαλον ἀδελφοὶ ἀπὸ κοινοβίου τῆς Αἰγύπτου. Καὶ ἐξελθὼν ὁ γέρων εἶδε τὸν ἀδελφὸν ἁμαρτάνοντα μετὰ τοῦ παιδίου, καὶ οὐκ ἤλεγξεν αὐτὸν, λέγων· Εἰ ὁ Θεὸς ὁ πλάσας αὐτοὺς βλέπων οὐ καίει αὐτοὺς, ἐγὼ τίς εἰμι ἵνα ἐλέγξω αὐτούς; ### English translation (Claude) Once a child came to be healed of a demon; and brothers from a community in Egypt came visiting. And the old man, going out, saw a brother sinning with the child, and he did not rebuke him, saying, “If God who made them sees and does not burn them, who am I to rebuke them?” ### Translation notes - The saying (told of John the Persian) concerns sexual sin with a boy and the elder’s refusal to judge; the circumstances are compressed in the scan. It is translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 54.1 (PG 65:235; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/54-1). ## John the Persian 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-54-2 - Source: PG 65:235–237 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John the Persian gives away borrowed linen and, needing to repay, will not take a coin found on the road until it is publicly claimed by no one. ### Greek text Διηγήσατό τις τῶν Πατέρων περὶ τοῦ ἀββα Ἰωάννου τοῦ Πέρσου, ὅτι ἐκ τῆς πολλῆς αὐτοῦ χάριτος εἰς βαθυτάτην ἤλασεν ἀκακίαν. Οὗτος δὲ ἔμενεν ἐν Ἀραβίᾳ τῆς Αἰγύπτου. Ἐχρήσατο δέ ποτε παρὰ ἀδελφοῦ ἓν χρύσινον καὶ ἠγόρασε λινάρια, ἵνα ἐργάσηται. Καὶ ἦλθεν ἀδελφὸς παρακαλῶν αὐτὸν, καὶ λέγων· Χάρισαί μοι, ἀββᾶ, ὀλίγα λινάρια, ἵνα ποιήσω ἐμαυτῷ λεβίτωνα. Καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ μετὰ χαρᾶς. Ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ ἄλλος ἦλθε παρακαλῶν αὐτόν· Δός μοι ὀλίγα λινάρια, ἵνα ποιήσω μου λέντιον. Ἔδωκε δὲ καὶ αὐτῷ ὁμοίως. Καὶ ἄλλων αἰτησάντων, ἐδίδου ἁπλῶς μετὰ χαρᾶς. Ὕστερον ἔρχεται ὁ κύριος τοῦ ὁλοκοτίνου θέλων αὐτό. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἐγὼ ὑπάγω καὶ φέρω σοι αὐτό. Καὶ μὴ ἔχων πόθεν ἀποδοῦναι, ἀνέστη ἀπελθεῖν πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰάκωβον τὸν τῆς διακονίας, παρακαλέσαι αὐτὸν δοῦναι αὐτῷ τὸ νόμισμα, ἵνα ἀποδώσει τῷ ἀδελφῷ. Καὶ ὑπάγων εὗρεν ὁλοκοτίνην κείμενον χαμαὶ, καὶ οὐχ ἥψατο αὐτοῦ. Ποιήσας δὲ εὐχὴν, ὑπέστρεψεν εἰς τὸ κελλίον ἑαυτοῦ. Καὶ ἦλθεν ὁ ἀδελφὸς πάλιν ὀχλῶν αὐτῷ διὰ τὸ νόμισμα. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἐγὼ πάντως φροντίζω. Καὶ ἀπελθὼν πάλιν, εὖρε τὸ νόμισμα χαμαὶ ὅπου ἦν· καὶ ποιήσας εὐχὴν πάλιν, ὑπέστρεψεν εἰς τὸ κελλίον ἑαυτοῦ. Καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁμοίως ἦλθεν ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὁ ὀχλῶν αὐτόν. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων, ὅτι Πάντως τὸ ἅπαξ τοῦτο φέρω αὐτό. Καὶ ἀναστὰς πάλιν, ἦλθε κατ᾿ ἐκείνου τοῦ τόπου· καὶ εὗρεν αὐτὸ ἐκεῖ κείμενον. Καὶ ποιήσας εὐχὴν, ἔλαβεν αὐτό. Καὶ ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰάκωβον, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἀββᾶ, ἐρχόμενος πρὸς σὲ εὖρον τὸ νόμισμα τοῦτο ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ· ποίησον οὖν ἀγάπην, καὶ κήρυξον ἐν τῇ ἐνορίᾳ μήτις ἀπώλεσεν αὐτό· καὶ ἐὰν εὑρεθῇ ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ, δὸς αὐτό. Ἀπελθὼν οὖν ὁ γέρων, ἐπὶ τρεῖς ἡμέρας ἐκήρυξε· καὶ οὐδεὶς εὐρέθη ὁ ἀπολέσας τὸ νόμισμα. Τότε λέγει ὁ γέρων τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἰακώβῳ· Εἰ οὖν οὐδεὶς αὐτὸ ἀπώλεσε, δὸς αὐτὸ τῷδε τῷ ἀδελφῷ· χρεωστῶ γὰρ αὐτῷ· καὶ ἐρχόμενος λαβεῖν παρὰ σοῦ ἀγάπην καὶ ἀποδοῦναι τὸ χρέος, εὗρον αὐτό. Καὶ ἐθαύμασεν ὁ γέρων, πῶς χρεωστῶν καὶ εὑρὼν οὐκ εὐθέως ἔλαβε καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτό. Καὶ τοῦτο δὲ ἦν αὐτοῦ τὸ θαυμαστὸν, ὅτι εἰ ἤρχετό τις χρήσασθαι παρ' αὐτοῦ τί ποτε, οὐ δι᾽ ἑαυτοῦ παρεῖχεν, ἀλλ᾽ ἔλεγε τῷ ἀδελφῷ· Ὕπαγε, σεαυτῷ ἆρον εἴ τι χρήζεις· καὶ εἰ ἔφερεν, ἔλεγεν αὐτῷ· Ἀπόθου αὐτὸ πάλιν εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ. Εἰ δὲ οὐδὲ ἔφερεν ὁ λαμβάνων, οὐδὲν ἔλεγεν αὐτῷ. ### English translation (Claude) One of the Fathers related of abba John the Persian that through his great grace he had reached the deepest innocence. He lived in Arabia of Egypt. Once he borrowed a gold coin from a brother and bought linen to work. And a brother came asking him and saying, “Give me a little linen, abba, so that I may make myself a tunic.” And he gave it to him with joy. Likewise another came asking him, “Give me a little linen, so that I may make a cloth.” He gave to him likewise. And when others asked, he gave simply with joy. Afterward the owner of the gold coin comes, wanting it. The old man says to him, “I will go and bring it to you.” And having nothing to repay it with, he got up to go to abba James, the steward, to ask him to give him the coin so that he might repay the brother. And on the way he found a gold coin lying on the ground, and he did not touch it. And after praying, he went back to his cell. And the brother came again, troubling him about the coin. And the old man says to him, “I am certainly seeing to it.” And going again, he found the coin on the ground where it was; and after praying again, he went back to his cell. And look, the brother came again, troubling him. And the old man says, “This time I will certainly bring it.” And getting up again, he came to that place; and he found it lying there. And after praying, he took it. And he came to abba James and says to him, “Abba, coming to you I found this coin on the road; so do me a kindness and announce in the district whether anyone has lost it; and if its owner is found, give it to him.” So the old man went and announced it for three days; and no one was found who had lost the coin. Then the old man says to abba James, “If no one has lost it, then give it to this brother; for I owe it to him; and it was while coming to receive alms from you to repay the debt that I found it.” And the old man marveled how, owing it and finding it, he did not at once take it and give it. And this too was marvelous in him: if anyone came to borrow something from him, he did not hand it over himself, but said to the brother, “Go, take for yourself whatever you need”; and if he brought it back, he said to him, “Put it back in its place.” And if the borrower did not bring it back, he said nothing to him. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 54.2 (PG 65:235–237; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/54-2). ## John the Persian 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-54-3 - Source: PG 65:237 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John the Persian washes the feet of robbers, who repent. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰωάννου τοῦ Πέρσου, ὅτι κακούργων αὐτῷ ἐπιστάντων, νιπτῆρα προσέφερε, καὶ ἠξίου τοὺς πόδας αὐτῶν νίπτειν· κἀκεῖνοι αἱδεσθέντες μετανοεῖν ἤρξαντο. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba John the Persian that when evildoers came upon him, he brought a basin and offered to wash their feet; and they, ashamed, began to repent. ### Scripture references - John 13:5: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 54.3 (PG 65:237; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/54-3). ## John the Persian 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-54-4 - Source: PG 65:237–239 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John the Persian trusts like the penitent thief that God, who gave him every virtue by grace, will give him the kingdom. ### Greek text Εἶπέ τις τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἰωάννῃ τῷ Πέρσῃ, ὅτι Τοσοῦτον κόπον ἐποιήσαμεν διὰ τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν· ἄρα κληρονομῆσαι αὐτὴν ἔχομεν; Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων Ἐγὼ πιστεύω κληρονομῆσαι τὴν ἄνω Ἱερουσαλήμ τὴν ἀπογεγραμμένην ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς. Πιστὸς γὰρ ὁ ἐπαγγειλάμενος. Διατί δὲ ἀπιστήσω; Φιλόξενος ὡς ὁ Ἀβραάμ γέγονα, πραὺς ὡς ὁ Μωϋσῆς, ἅγιος ὡς ὁ Ἀαρών, ὑπομονητικὸς ὡς ὁ Ἰὼβ, ταπεινόφρων ὡς ὁ Δαβίδ, ἐρημίτης ὡς ὁ Ἰωάννης, πενθικὸς ὡς ὁ Ἱερεμίας, διδάσκαλος ὡς ὁ Παῦλος, πιστὸς ὡς ὁ Πέτρος, σοφὸς ὡς ὁ Σολωμών. Καὶ πιστεύω ὡς ὁ λῃστὴς, ὅτι ὁ ταῦτά μοι χαρισάμενος δι' οἰκείαν ἀγαθότητα, καὶ τὴν βασιλείαν παράσχῃ. ### English translation (Claude) Someone said to abba John the Persian, “We have endured so much labor for the kingdom of heaven; shall we inherit it?” And the old man said, “I trust that I shall inherit the Jerusalem above, which is enrolled in heaven. For he who promised is faithful. Why should I disbelieve? I have been hospitable like Abraham, meek like Moses, holy like Aaron, patient like Job, humble like David, a hermit like John, mournful like Jeremiah, a teacher like Paul, faithful like Peter, wise like Solomon. And I trust, like the thief, that he who gave me these things out of his own goodness will also grant me the kingdom.” ### Scripture references - Heb 12:22: allusion, medium confidence - Heb 10:23: quotation, high confidence - Luke 23:42: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - A note from Migne on the word ὁλοκότινος (gold coin) is removed. Heb 12:22–23; Heb 10:23; the thief: Luke 23:42–43. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 54.4 (PG 65:237–239; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/54-4). ## John the Theban 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-55-1 - Source: PG 65:239 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: After twelve years of thankless service, Ammoes blesses his disciple John on his deathbed as an angel. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ μικροῦ Ἰωάννου τοῦ Θηβαίου, τοῦ μαθητοῦ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀμμώη, ὅτι δεκαδύο ἔτη ἐποίησεν ὑπηρετῶν τῷ γέροντι ὅτε ἠσθένει· καὶ μετ' αὐτοῦ ἦν εἰς τὸ χαράδριον καθήμενος. Καὶ ὁ γέρων ὀλιγώρει ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ· καὶ πολλὰ κοπιάσαντα μετ' αὐτοῦ, οὐδέποτε εἶπεν αὐτῷ, Σωθείης. Ὅτε δὲ ἤμελλε τελευτᾷν, καθεζομένων τῶν γερόντων, ἐκράτησε τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Σωθείης, σωθείης, σωΟὗτος ἄγγελός ἐστι, καὶ οὐκ ἄνθρωπος. ### English translation (Claude) They said of little John the Theban, the disciple of abba Ammoes, that he spent twelve years serving the old man when he was ill; and he sat with him on the mat. And the old man was harsh toward him; and though John labored much with him, he never said to him, “May you be saved.” But when he was about to die, while the old men were sitting there, he took his hand and says to him, “May you be saved, may you be saved, may you be saved” … “This is an angel, and not a man.” ### Translation notes - Words are lost in the scan before the last sentence (in other copies: he commended him to the old men, saying …); not supplied. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 55.1 (PG 65:239; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/55-1). ## John, disciple of Paul 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-56-1 - Source: PG 65:239 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Obeying a joking command, John ties up a hyena and brings it to his abba, who humbles him. ### Greek text Παύλου. Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰωάννου τοῦ μαθητοῦ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Παύλου, ὅτι εἶχε μεγάλην ὑπακοήν. Ἦν δὲ ἔν τινι τόπῳ μνημεῖα, καὶ ᾤκει ὕαινα ἐκεῖ Ὁ δὲ γέρων εἶδε περὶ τὸν τόπον βόλβιτα· καὶ λέγει τῷ Ἰωάννῃ ἀπελθεῖν καὶ ἐνεγκεῖν αὐτά. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Καὶ τί ποιήσω, ἀββᾶ, διὰ τὴν ὕαιναν; Ὁ δὲ γέρων χαριεντιζόμενος εἶπεν· Ἐὰν ἔλθῃ ἐπάνω σου, δῆσον αὐτὴν, καὶ φέρε αὐτὴν ὧδε. Ἀπῆλθεν οὖν ὁ ἀδελφὸς ἐκεῖ ὀψέ. Καὶ ἰδοὺ ἦλθεν ἡ ὕαινα ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ. Ὁ δὲ, κατὰ τὸν λόγον τοῦ γέροντος, ὥρμησε κρατῆσαι αὐτήν. Καὶ ἔφυγεν ἡ ὕαινα. Καὶ διώκων αὐτὴν ἔλεγεν Ὁ ἀββᾶς μου εἶπεν ἵνα σε δεσμήσω. Καὶ κρατήσας αὐτὴν ἔδησεν. Ἐθλίβετο δὲ ὁ γέρων, καὶ ἐκάθητο περιμένων αὐτόν. Καὶ ἰδοὺ ἦλθεν ἔχων τὴν ὕαιναν δεδεμένην. Καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ γέρων ἐθαύμασε. Καὶ θέλων ταπεινῶσαι αὐτὸν, ἔτυψεν αὐτὸν λέγων· Σαλέ κύνα σαλὸν ἤνεγκάς μοι ὧδε Ἔλυσε δὲ αὐτὴν εὐθὺς ὁ γέρων, καὶ ἀπέλυσεν ἀπελθεῖν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba John, the disciple of abba Paul, that he had great obedience. There were tombs in a certain place, and a hyena lived there. The old man saw dung around the place, and tells John to go and bring it. He said to him, “And what shall I do, abba, about the hyena?” The old man said jokingly, “If it comes at you, tie it up and bring it here.” So the brother went there in the evening. And look, the hyena came at him. And he, according to the old man’s word, rushed to seize it. And the hyena fled. And chasing it he said, “My abba told me to tie you up.” And catching it, he tied it. The old man was anxious, and sat waiting for him. And look, he came bringing the hyena tied up. And seeing it, the old man marveled. And wanting to humble him, he struck him, saying, “Fool, have you brought me a silly dog here?” And the old man untied it at once and let it go. ### Translation notes - The first word in the scan (“of Paul”) is the end of the printed heading. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 56.1 (PG 65:239; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/56-1). ## Isaac the Theban 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-57-1 - Source: PG 65:239 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: An angel bars Isaac from his cell until he repents of condemning a fallen brother. ### Greek text Παρέβαλέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰσαὰκ ὁ Θηβαῖος εἰς κοινόβιον, καὶ εἶδεν ἀδελφὸν σφαλέντα, καὶ κατέκρινεν αὐτόν. Ὡς δὲ ἐξῆλθεν εἰς τὴν ἔρημον, ἦλθεν ἄγγελος Κυρίου, καὶ ἔστη ἔμπροσθεν τῆς θύρας τοῦ κελλίου αὐτοῦ, λέγων· Οὐκ ἀφῶ σε εἰσελθεῖν. Ὁ δὲ παρεκάλει, λέγων· Τί ἐστι τὸ πρᾶγμα; Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς Εἰπὲ αὐτῷ, Ποῦ κελεύεις βάλω τὸν σφαλέντα ἀδελφὸν ὃν ἔκρινας; Καὶ εὐθέως μετενόησε, λέγων· Ἡμάρτηκα, συγχώρησόν μοι. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἄγγελος· Ἐγείρου, συνεχώρησε σοι ὁ Θεός. Φύλαξαι δὲ τοῦ λοιποῦ μὴ κρῖναί τινα πρὶν ἢ ὁ Θεὸς κρίνῃ αὐτόν. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Isaac the Theban visited a community, and he saw a brother who had sinned, and he condemned him. When he went out into the desert, an angel of the Lord came and stood in front of the door of his cell, saying, “I will not let you go in.” He begged him, saying, “What is the matter?” And the angel answered, “[God says,] ‘Tell him: where do you order me to put the brother who sinned, whom you judged?’” And at once he repented, saying, “I have sinned; forgive me.” And the angel said, “Get up; God has forgiven you. But from now on take care not to judge anyone before God judges him.” ### Scripture references - 1 Cor 4:5: echo, medium confidence - Rom 14:4: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The angel’s answer is compressed in the scan (in other copies: “God has sent me to say to you …”); the bracketed words make the sense clear and are not in the Greek. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 57.1 (PG 65:239; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/57-1). ## Isaac the Theban 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-57-2 - Source: PG 65:241 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isaac hurries from the Eucharist to his cell lest the light he received be extinguished. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀπολλὼ, ὅτι εἶχε μαθητὴν ὀνόματι Ἰσαάκ, πεπαιδευμένον εἰς ἄκρον πρὸς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθόν· καὶ ἐκτήσατο τὴν τῆς ἁγίας προσφορᾶς ἡσυχίαν. Καὶ ὅταν ἐξήρχετο εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, οὐ συνεχώρει τινὰς ἐλθεῖν εἰς συντυχίαν ἑαυτοῦ. Ἦν γὰρ ὁ λόγος αὐτοῦ οὗτος, ὅτι πάντα καλὰ ἐν καιρῷ αὐτῶν· Καιρὸς γὰρ τῷ παντὶ πράγματι. Καὶ ὅταν ἀπέλυεν ἡ σύναξις, ὡς ἀπὸ πυρὸς ἦν διωκόμενος, ζητῶν καταλαβεῖν τὸ κελλίον ἑαυτοῦ. Πολλάκις δὲ ἐδίδοτο τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς ἀπὸ συνάξεως, παξαμάτης καὶ ποτήριον οἴνου· αὐτὸς δὲ οὐκ ἐλάμβανεν· οὐκ ἀπωθούμενος τὴν εὐλογίαν τῶν ἀδελφῶν, ἀλλὰ τὴν τῆς συνάξεως ἐπικρατῶν ἡσυχίαν. Ἐγένετο δὲ αὐτὸν ἐν ἀῤῥωστίᾳ κατακεῖσθαι· καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ ἀδελφοὶ ἦλθον τοῦ ἐπισκέψασθαι αὐτόν. Καθεζόμενοι δὲ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ ἠρώτησαν αὐτὸν, λέγοντες· Ἀ̓ββᾶ Ἰσαάκ, διατί ἀπὸ συνάξεως φεύγεις τοὺς ἀδελφούς; Καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτοὺς, ὅτι Τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς οὐ φεύγω, ἀλλὰ τὴν τῶν δαιμόνων κακοτεχνίαν. Καὶ γὰρ ἐὰν τις κατέχῃ λαμπάδιον φωτὸς, καὶ βραδύνῃ εἰς τὸν ἀέρα ἱστάμενος, σβέννυται ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ. Οὕτως καὶ ἡμεῖς φωτιζόμενοι ὑπὸ τῆς ἁγίας προσφορᾶς, ἐὰν βραδύνωμεν ἔξω τοῦ κελλίου, σκοτίζεται ἡμῶν ὁ νοῦς. Αὕτη ἡ πολιτεία τοῦ ὁσίου ἀββᾶ Ἰσαάκ. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Apollo that he had a disciple named Isaac, trained to the highest degree for every good work; and he had acquired the stillness of the holy offering. And when he went out to church, he did not allow anyone to come and converse with him. For his word was this: that everything is good in its time; for there is a time for every matter. And when the synaxis was dismissed, he was as if pursued by fire, seeking to reach his cell. Often a biscuit and a cup of wine were given to the brothers after the synaxis; but he did not take them, not refusing the brothers’ blessing, but keeping the stillness of the synaxis. It happened that he lay sick; and hearing of it, the brothers came to visit him. Sitting down, the brothers asked him, saying, “Abba Isaac, why do you flee the brothers after the synaxis?” And he said to them, “I do not flee the brothers, but the wiles of the demons. For if someone holds a lighted lamp and lingers standing in the open air, it is put out. So we too, enlightened by the holy offering, if we linger outside the cell, our mind is darkened.” This was the way of life of the holy abba Isaac. ### Scripture references - Eccl 3:1: quotation, high confidence - Eccl 3:11: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - “The holy offering” is the Eucharist. Quotation of Eccl 3:1 (cf. 3:11). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 57.2 (PG 65:241; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/57-2). ## Joseph the Theban 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-58-1 - Source: PG 65:241 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Joseph names three things precious to God: patient illness, pure work, and obedience to a spiritual father. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωσὴφ ὁ Θηβαῖος, ὅτι τρία πράγματά ἐστιν ἔντιμα ἐνώπιον Κυρίου· ὅταν ἄνθρωπος ἀσθενῇ, καὶ προστίθενται αὐτῷ πειρασμοὶ, καὶ μετ' εὐχαριστείας δέχεται αὐτούς. Τὸ δὲ δεύτερόν ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ μηδὲν ἔχοντα ἀνθρώπινον. Τὸ δὲ τρίτον, ὅταν τις ἐν ὑποταγῇ καθέζηται πατρὸς πνευματικοῦ, καὶ πᾶσιν ἀποτάσσηται τοῖς ἰδίοις θελήμασιν. Ἔχει δὲ οὗτος ἕνα στέφανον περισσόν. Ἐγὼ δὲ τὴν ἀσθένειαν ᾑρησάμην. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Joseph the Theban said, “Three things are precious before the Lord: when a man is ill and temptations are added to him, and he accepts them with thanksgiving. The second … before God, having nothing merely human. The third, when someone remains in submission to a spiritual father and renounces all his own wills. This one has one extra crown. But I have chosen illness.” ### Translation notes - Words are lost in the scan in the second item (in other copies: “when someone does all his works pure before God”); not supplied. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 58.1 (PG 65:241; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/58-1). ## Hilarion 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-59-1 - Source: PG 65:241 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony and Hilarion greet each other as the morning star and the pillar of light. ### Greek text Παρέβαλεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰλαρίων ἀπὸ Παλαιστίνης εἰς τὸ ὄρος, πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀντώνιον. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος· Καλῶς ἦλθες, ὁ ἑωσφόρος ὁ πρωί ἀνατέλλων. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἱλαρίων· Εἰρήνη σοι, ὁ στύλος τοῦ φωτὸς, ὁ τὴν οἰκουμένην φωτίζων ### English translation (Claude) Abba Hilarion came from Palestine to the mountain, to abba Antony. And abba Antony says to him, “Welcome, morning star that rises at dawn.” And abba Hilarion said to him, “Peace to you, pillar of light that illumines the world.” ### Scripture references - Isa 14:12: quotation, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Antony’s greeting uses the words of Isa 14:12 (LXX) as praise. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 59.1 (PG 65:241; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/59-1). ## Ischyrion 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/47-0/#p-60-1 - Source: PG 65:241–243 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Ischyrion foretells declining generations of monks, but says those tested in the last trial will surpass their fathers. ### Greek text της γενεᾶς. Τί εἰργασάμεθα ἡμεῖς; φασί. Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς εἷς ἐξ αὐτῶν μέγας ἀββᾶς Ἰσχυρίων, εἶπεν· Ἡμεῖς τὰς ἐντολὰς τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐποιήσαμεν. Καὶ ἀποκριθέντες εἶπον· Οἱ δὲ μεθ' ἡμᾶς, ἄρα τί ποιοῦσιν; Καὶ εἶπε· Μέλλουσιν εἰς τὸ ἥμισυ τοῦ ἔργου ἡμῶν ἔρχεσθαι. Καὶ εἶπον· Οἱ δὲ μετ᾿ αὐτοὺς, τί; Εἶπεν· Οὐκ ἔχουσιν ὅλως ἔργον οἱ τῆς γενεᾶς ἐκείνης· μέλλει δὲ ἔρχεσθαι αὐτοῖς πειρασμός καὶ οἱ εὑρισκόμενοι δόκιμοι ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, μείζονες καὶ ἡμῶν καὶ τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν εὑρεθήσονται. ### English translation (Claude) … of the generation. “What have we done?” they said. And one of them, the great abba Ischyrion, answered, “We have done the commandments of God.” And they answered, “And those after us, what will they do?” And he said, “They will come to half of our work.” And they said, “And those after them, what?” He said, “The men of that generation will have no work at all; but temptation will come upon them; and those who are found tested in that time will be found greater than both us and our Fathers.” ### Translation notes - The beginning is lost in the scan (in other copies: “The holy Fathers prophesied about the last generation”); not supplied. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 60.1 (PG 65:241–243; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/60-1). ## Cassian 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-61-1 - Source: PG 65:243 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: An Egyptian elder sets aside fasting to welcome visitors, receiving Christ in them. ### Greek text Διηγήσατο ὁ ἀββᾶς Κασιανὸς, ὅτι Παρεβάλομεν ἐγώ τε καὶ ὁ ἅγιος Γερμανὸς εἰς Αἴγυπτον, πρός τινα γέροντα. Καὶ φιλοξενήσας ἡμᾶς ἡρωτήθη παρ' ἡμῶν· Τίνος ἕνεκεν ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τῆς ὑποδοχῆς τῶν ξένων ἀδελφῶν, τὸν κανόνα τῆς νηστείας ἡμῶν, ὡς ἐν Παλαιστίνῃ παρελάβομεν, οὐ φυλάττετε; Καὶ ἀπεκρίθη λέγων· Ἡ νηστεία πάντοτε μετ' ἐμοῦ ἐστιν ὑμᾶς δὲ κατέχειν πάντοτε μεθ᾽ ἑαυτοῦ οὐ δύναμαι· καὶ ἡ μὲν νηστεία καὶ χρήσιμόν ἐστι πρᾶγμα καὶ ἀναγκαῖον, τῆς ἡμετέρας δὲ ἐστι προαιρέσεως τὴν δὲ τῆς ἀγάπης πλήρωσιν ἐξ ἀνάγκης ἀπαιτεῖ ὁ τοῦ Θεοῦ νόμος. Ἑν ὑμῖν οὖν δεχόμενος τὸν Χριστὸν, χρεωστῶ μετὰ πάσης θεραπεῦσαι σπουδῆς. Ἐπὰν δὲ ὑμᾶς προπέμψω, τὸν κανόνα τῆς νηστείας δύναμαι ἀνακτήσασθαι. Οὐ δύνανται γὰρ οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ νυμφῶνος νηστεύειν, ἐφ᾿ ὅσον χρόνον ὁ νυμφίος μετ' αὐτῶν ἐστιν· ὅταν δὲ ἀρθῇ ὁ νυμφίος, τότε μετ' ἐξουσίας νηστεύσουσιν ### English translation (Claude) Abba Cassian related, “Holy Germanus and I visited an old man in Egypt. And after he had shown us hospitality, we asked him, ‘Why, when you receive visiting brothers, do you not keep the rule of fasting as we received it in Palestine?’ And he answered, ‘Fasting is always with me; but I cannot keep you with me always; and fasting is a useful and necessary thing, but it belongs to our own choice, whereas the law of God requires the fulfillment of love by necessity. So, receiving Christ in you, I am bound to serve you with all eagerness. But when I have sent you on your way, I can take up the rule of fasting again. For the sons of the bridechamber cannot fast as long as the bridegroom is with them; but when the bridegroom is taken away, then they will fast with authority.’” ### Scripture references - Matt 9:15: quotation, high confidence - Matt 25:35: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Matt 9:15, in a free form. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 61.1 (PG 65:243; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1). ## Cassian 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-61-2 - Source: PG 65:243 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: An old man suspected with the virgin who served him is vindicated when his staff blossoms on his grave. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς εἶπεν ὅτι ἦν τις γέρων, καὶ ὑπηρετεῖτο ὑπὸ ἁγίας παρθένου· καὶ οἱ ἄνθρωποι ἔλεγον· Οὐκ εἰσὶ καθαροί. Καὶ ἤκουσεν ὁ γέρων. Ὅταν δὲ ἤμελλε τελευτᾷν, εἶπε τοῖς Πατράσιν Ὅταν τελευτήσω, φυτεύσατε τὴν ῥάβδον μου εἰς τάφον καὶ ἐὰν βλαστήσῃ καὶ ποιήσῃ καρπὸν, μάθετε ὅτι καθαρός εἰμι ἀπ᾿ αὐτῆς· εἰ δὲ μὴ βλαστήσῃ γινώσκετε ὅτι πέπτωκα μετ' αὐτῆς. Καὶ ἐφυτεύθη ἡ ῥάβδος, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἐβλάστησε, καὶ ἐποίησε καρπόν. Καὶ πάντες ἐδόξασαν τὸν Θεόν. ### English translation (Claude) The same said that there was an old man who was served by a holy virgin; and people said, “They are not pure.” And the old man heard of it. When he was about to die, he said to the Fathers, “When I die, plant my staff in the grave; and if it sprouts and bears fruit, know that I am pure with regard to her; but if it does not sprout, know that I have fallen with her.” And the staff was planted, and on the third day it sprouted and bore fruit. And everyone glorified God. ### Scripture references - Num 17:8: echo, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Cf. Aaron’s rod, Num 17:8. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 61.2 (PG 65:243; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-2). ## Cassian 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-61-3 - Source: PG 65:243 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: An old man who ate six times with visitors to encourage them is still hungry, while his guest is full after one meal. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Παρεβάλομεν ἑτέρῳ γέροντι καὶ ἐποίησεν ἡμᾶς γεύσασθαι. Προετρέπετο δὲ ἡμᾶς κορεσθέντας, ἔτι μεταλαβεῖν τροφῆς. Ἐμοῦ δὲ εἰρηκότος μηκέτι δύνασθαι, ἀπεκρίθη· Ἐγὼ ἑξάκις παραγενομένων ἀδελφῶν τράπεζαν ἔθηκα, καὶ προτρεπόμενος ἕνα ἕκαστον συνήσθιον, καὶ ἀκμὴν πεινῶ. Τοῦτο δὲ σὺ ἅπαξ φαγὼν οὕτως ἐκορέσθης, ὥστε μηκέτι φαγεῖν δύνασθαι. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “We visited another old man, and he made us eat. And when we were full, he urged us to take more food. When I said that I could not, he answered, ‘I have set the table six times for brothers who came, and urging each one I ate with him, and I am still hungry. And you, having eaten once, are so full that you cannot eat any more.’” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 61.3 (PG 65:243; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-3). ## Cassian 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-61-4 - Source: PG 65:243–245 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Paësius never ate by daylight; John, superior of a community, was never angry. ### Greek text Διηγήσατο πάλιν ὁ αὐτὸς, ὅτι Παρέβαλεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης ἄνθρωπος κοινοβίου ἡγούμενος μεγάλου, τῷ ἀββᾷ Παησίῳ, ἐν ἀκροτάτῃ ἐρήμῳ διάγοντι ἐπὶ ἔτη τεσσαράκοντα, καὶ ὡς ἔχων πρὸς αὐτὸν πολλὴν ἀγάπην, καὶ τὴν ἐκ ταύτης παῤῥησίαν εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Τί ἐν τοσούτῳ χρόνῳ οὕτως ἀναχωρῶν, καὶ ὑπὸ μηδενὸς ἀνθρώπου ταχέως ὀχλούμενος κατώρθωσας; Ὁ δέ φησιν· Ἀφ' οὗ ἐμόνασα, οὐδέ ποτέ με εἶδεν ὁ ἥλιος ἐσθίοντα. Εἶπε δὲ καὶ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης Οὐδὲ ἐμὲ ὀργιζόμενον. ### English translation (Claude) The same also related that abba John, a man who was superior of a great community, visited abba Paësius, who had lived in the farthest desert for forty years; and having great love for him, and the freedom that comes from it, he said to him, “What have you achieved, living so long in such solitude and readily troubled by no one?” He said, “Since I became a solitary, the sun has never seen me eating.” And abba John said, “Nor me angry.” ### Translation notes - A few stray words from Migne’s notes are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 61.4 (PG 65:243–245; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-4). ## Cassian 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-61-5 - Source: PG 65:245 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Dying, John leaves the brothers this: he never did his own will or taught what he had not done. ### Greek text Τοῦτον τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰωάννην περὶ τὴν τελευτὴν ὄντα, καὶ ἐκδημοῦντα προθύμως καὶ ἱλαρῶς πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, ἐκύκλωσαν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ, ἀξιοῦντες λόγον τινὰ σύντομον καὶ σωτήριον ἐν κλήρου τάξει καταλιπεῖν αὐτοῖς, δι' οὗ δυνήσονται ἐπιβῆναι τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ τελειότητος. Ὁ δὲ στενάξας ἔφη Οὐδέποτε ἐποίησα τὸ ἴδιον θέλημα· οὐδέ τινα ἐδίδαξα, ὅπερ πρότερον οὐκ ἐποίησα. ### English translation (Claude) When this abba John was near his end and departing eagerly and cheerfully to God, the brothers surrounded him, asking him to leave them as an inheritance some short and saving word by which they might attain to perfection in Christ. He sighed and said, “I have never done my own will; nor have I taught anyone anything that I had not first done.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 61.5 (PG 65:245; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-5). ## Cassian 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-61-6 - Source: PG 65:245 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: An elder shows monks that the devil makes them sleepy at spiritual talk and alert at idle gossip. ### Greek text Διηγήσατο πάλιν περὶ ἑτέρου γέροντος ἐν ἐρήμῳ καθεζομένου, ὅτι παρεκάλεσε τὸν Θεὸν χαρίσασθαι αὐτῷ, ὥστε μηδέποτε νυστάξαι αὐτὸν κινουμένης ὁμιλίας πνευματικῆς· εἰ δὲ τις καταλαλιᾶς ἢ ἀργολογίας λόγους ἐπιφέρει, εὐθὺς εἰς ὕπνον καταφέρεσθαι, ἵνα μὴ ἱοῦ τοιούτου γεύωνται αἱ ἀκοαὶ αὐτοῦ. Οὗτος δὲ ἔλεγε, τὸν διάβολον σπουδαστὴν εἶναι τῆς ἀργολογίας, πολέμιον δὲ πάσης διδασκαλίας πνευματικῆς· τοιούτῳ χρώμενος ὑποδείγματι· Λαλοῦντος γάρ μου, φησὶ, περὶ ὠφελείας πρός τινας ἀδελφοὺς, τοσούτῳ ὕπνῳ βαθεῖ κατεσχέθησαν, ὥστε μήτε τὰ βλέφαρα κινεῖν δύνασθαι. Ἐγὼ οὖν θέλων δεῖξαι τοῦ δαίμονος τὴν ἐνέργειαν, λόγον ἀργολογίας παρεισήνεγκα ἐφ᾽ ᾧ χαρέντες παραχρῆμα διένηψαν. Στενάξας δὲ εἶπον· Μέχρι τοίνυν περὶ οὐρανίων πραγμάτων διελεγόμεθα, πάντων ὑμῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ τῷ ὕπνῳ συνείχοντο· ἡνίκα δὲ λόγος ἀργὸς ἐῤῥύη, πάντες μετὰ προθυμίας διανέστητε. Διὸ, ἀδελφοὶ παρακαλῶ, ἐπίγνωτε τοῦ πονηροῦ δαίμονος τὴν ἐνέργειαν, καὶ ἑαυτοῖς προσέχετε, φυλαττόμενοι τὸν νυσταγμὸν, ἡνίκα τι ποιεῖτε πνευματικὸν, ἢ ἀκούετε. ### English translation (Claude) He also related of another old man living in the desert that he asked God to grant him never to doze while spiritual conversation was going on; but if anyone brought in words of slander or idle talk, to fall asleep at once, so that his ears might not taste such poison. He used to say that the devil promotes idle talk and is the enemy of all spiritual teaching, using this example: “Once while I was speaking about what is profitable to some brothers, they were held by such deep sleep that they could not even move their eyelids. So, wanting to show the working of the demon, I introduced a piece of idle talk; at which they rejoiced and at once woke up. And I groaned and said, ‘As long as we were discussing heavenly things, all your eyes were held by sleep; but when an idle word flowed, you all woke up eagerly. So, brothers, I beg you, recognize the working of the evil demon, and attend to yourselves, guarding against drowsiness when you are doing or hearing something spiritual.’” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 61.6 (PG 65:245; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-6). ## Cassian 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-61-7 - Source: PG 65:245 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Basil tells a senator who kept back part of his wealth that he is neither senator nor monk. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Συγκλητικός τις ἀποταξάμενος, καὶ τὰ ἑαυτοῦ ὑπάρχοντα πένησι διαδοὺς, παρακατέσχε τινὰ εἰς ἰδίαν ἀπόλαυσιν, μὴ βουλόμενος τὴν ἐκ τῆς τελείας ἀποταγῆς ἀναδέξασθαι ταπεινοφροσύνην, καὶ τὴν γνησίαν ὑποταγὴν τοῦ κοινοβιακοῦ κανόνος. Πρὸς ὃν ὁ ἐν ἁγίοις Βασίλειος λόγον ἀπεφθέγξατο τοιοῦτον· Καὶ τὸν συγκλητικὸν ἀπώλεσας, καὶ μοναχὸν οὐκ ἐποίησας. ### English translation (Claude) He also said that a senator who had renounced the world and distributed his possessions to the poor kept back some for his own enjoyment, not wanting to accept the humility that comes from complete renunciation and the genuine submission of the community’s rule. To him Basil, among the saints, spoke this word: “You have lost the senator, and you have not made a monk.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 61.7 (PG 65:245; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-7). ## Cassian 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-61-8 - Source: PG 65:245 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A hermit refuses his father’s inheritance, saying the dead do not inherit from the living. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι ἦν τις μοναχὸς οἰκῶν ἐν σπηλαίῳ ἐν ἐρήμῳ· καὶ ἐδηλώθη αὐτῷ ὑπὸ τῶν συγγενῶν κατὰ σάρκα, ὅτι Ὁ πατήρ σου ἰσχυρῶς ἐνοχλεῖται, καὶ μέλλει τελευτᾷν, ἐλθὲ ἵνα κληρονομήσῃς αὐτόν. Ὁ δὲ ἀπεκρίθη πρὸς αὐτούς· Ἐγὼ πρὸ ἐκείνου ἀπέθανον τῷ κόσμῳ· νεκρὸς ζῶντα οὐ κληρονομεῖ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said that there was a monk living in a cave in the desert; and his relatives according to the flesh sent him word, “Your father is very ill and is about to die; come so that you may inherit from him.” He answered them, “I died to the world before he did; a dead man does not inherit from a living one.” ### Scripture references - Gal 6:14: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - A variant note and a Greek epigram on the senator of the preceding saying (from Migne’s notes) are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 61.8 (PG 65:245; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-8). ## Cronius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-62-1 - Source: PG 65:247 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Cronius reads Elisha and the Shunammite as the barren soul that bears fruit when the Spirit visits it in stillness. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἔφη τῷ ἀββᾷ Κρονίῳ· Εἰπέ μοι ῥῆμα. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ, ὅτι Ἐν τῷ ἐλθεῖν τὸν Ἐλισσαῖον πρὸς τὴν Σωμανῆτιν, εὖρεν αὐτὴν μὴ ἔχουσαν πρᾶγμα μετά τινος· συνέλαβεν οὖν, καὶ ἔτεκε διὰ τῆς παρουσίας Ἐλισσαίου. Λέγει δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφός Τί ἐστι τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο; Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων, ὅτι Ἡ ψυχὴ ἐὰν νήψῃ, καὶ συστείλῃ ἑαυτὴν ἀπὸ τοῦ περισπασμοῦ, καὶ καταλείψῃ τὰ θελήματα ἑαυτῆς, τότε τὸ Πνεῦμα τοῦ Θεοῦ παραβάλλει αὐτῇ καὶ δύναται λοιπὸν γεννῆσαι, ἐπειδὴ στεῖρά ἐστιν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother said to abba Cronius, “Tell me a word.” And he says to him, “When Elisha came to the Shunammite woman, he found her having no dealings with anyone; so she conceived and gave birth through the presence of Elisha.” The brother says to him, “What does this word mean?” And the old man says, “If the soul is watchful, and withdraws itself from distraction, and abandons its own wills, then the Spirit of God visits it, and then it can give birth, since it is barren.” ### Scripture references - 2 Kgs 4:17: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - 2 Kgs 4:8–17. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 62.1 (PG 65:247; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/62-1). ## Cronius 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-62-2 - Source: PG 65:247 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Cronius uses the ark and Dagon to show that a mind turning to God makes the passion fall. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Κρόνιον· Τί ποιήσω τῇ λήθῃ τῇ αἰχμαλωτιζούσῃ τὸν νοῦν μου, καὶ οὐκ ἐώσῃ με αἰσθάνεσθαι, μέχρι με ἐνέγκῃ κατ᾿ αὐτῆς τῆς ἁμαρτίας Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ὅτε ἔλαβον οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι τὴν κιβωτὸν διὰ τὴν κακὴν πρᾶξιν τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ, ἔσυρον αὐτὴν ἕως οὗ ἤνεγκαν αὐτὴν εἰς τὸν οἶκον Δαγὼν τοῦ θεοῦ αὐτῶν· καὶ τότε ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ προσώπου αὐτοῦ. Καὶ λέγει ὁ ἀδελφός· Τί ἐστι τοῦτο; Ὁ δὲ γέρων εἶπεν, ὅτι Ἐὰν φθάσωσιν αἰχμαλωτίσαι τὸν νοῦν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου διὰ τῶν ἰδίων αὐτοῦ ἀφορμῶν, οὕτως ὑποσύρωσιν αὐτὸν, ἕως ἂν ἐνέγκωσιν αὐτὸν ἐπάνω τοῦ ἀοράτου πάθους. Ἐν ἐκείνῳ οὖν τῷ τόπῳ ἐὰν στραφῇ ὁ νοῦς, καὶ ζητήσῃ τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ μνημονεύσῃ τῆς αἰωνίου κρίσεως εὐθὺς τὸ πάθος πίπτει καὶ ἀφανὲς γίνεται. Γέγραπται γάρ· Ὅταν ἀποστραφεὶς στενάξῃς, τότε σωθήσῃ, καὶ γνώσῃ ποῦ ἦσθα ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Cronius, “What shall I do about the forgetfulness that takes my mind captive and does not let me notice, until it brings me right up to sin?” And the old man says, “When the foreigners took the ark because of the evil conduct of the sons of Israel, they dragged it until they brought it into the house of Dagon their god; and then he fell on his face.” And the brother says, “What does this mean?” The old man said, “If they manage to take a man’s mind captive through his own occasions, they drag him along until they bring him to the unseen passion. So in that place, if the mind turns back and seeks God and remembers the eternal judgment, at once the passion falls and vanishes. For it is written, ‘When you turn back and groan, then you will be saved, and you will know where you were.’” ### Scripture references - 1 Sam 5:3: allusion, high confidence - Isa 30:15: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - 1 Sam 5:2–3; Isa 30:15 (LXX), with an added clause. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 62.2 (PG 65:247; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/62-2). ## Cronius 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-62-3 - Source: PG 65:247 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Humility comes through the fear of God, which comes from withdrawal, labor, and remembering death and judgment. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Κρόνιον Ποίῳ τρόπῳ ἔρχεται ἄνθρωπος εἰς ταπεινοφροσύνην; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων, ὅτι διὰ τοῦ φόβου τοῦ Θεοῦ. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφός· Καὶ διὰ ποίου πράγματος ἔρχεται εἰς τὸν φόβον τοῦ Θεοῦ; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Τὰ κατ᾿ ἐμὲ, ἵνα συστείλῃ ἑαυτὸν ἀπὸ παντὸς πράγματος, καὶ δώσει ἑαυτὸν εἰς κόπον σωματικὸν, καὶ ὅσην ἔχει ἰσχὺν, μνημονεύσῃ τῆς ἐκ τοῦ σώματος ἐξόδου, καὶ τῆς κρίσεως τοῦ Θεοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Cronius, “In what way does a man come to humility?” The old man says to him, “Through the fear of God.” The brother says to him, “And by what means does he come to the fear of God?” The old man says to him, “In my view, he should withdraw himself from every affair, give himself to bodily labor, and with all his strength remember the departure from the body and the judgment of God.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 62.3 (PG 65:247; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/62-3). ## Cronius 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-62-4 - Source: PG 65:247–249 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Cronius uses Moses at the bush to teach that bodily labor is the field where the treasure is found. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Κρόνιος, ὅτι Εἰ μὴ ἤγαγε Μωϋσῆς τὰ πρόβατα ὑπὸ τὸ ὄρος Σινᾶ, οὐκ ἂν ἔβλεπε τὸ πῦρ ἐν τῇ βάτῳ. Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀδελφὸς τὸν γέροντα Εἰς τί λαμβάνεται ἡ βάτος Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ, ὅτι Ἡ βάτος λαμβάνεται εἰς τὴν σωματικὴν πρᾶξιν. Γέγραπται γὰρ, ὅτι Ὁ̔μοία ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν θησαυρῷ κεκρυμμένῳ ἐν ἀγρῷ. Λέγει ὁ ἀδελφὸς τῷ γέροντι· Οὐκοῦν ἐκτὸς καμάτου σωματικοῦ οὐ προκόπτει ἄνθρωπος εἴς τινα τιμήν; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Τέως γέγραπται· Ἀφορῶντες εἰς τὸν τῆς πίστεως ἀρχηγὸν καὶ τελειωτὴν Ἰησοῦν, ὃς ἀντὶ τῆς προκειμένης αὐτῷ χαρᾶς ὑπέμεινε σταυρόν. Καὶ πάλιν Δαβὶδ λέγει· Εἰ δώσω ὕπνον τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς μου, καὶ τοῖς βλεφάροις μου νυσταγμόν· καὶ τὰ ἑξῆς. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Cronius said, “If Moses had not led the sheep under Mount Sinai, he would not have seen the fire in the bush.” The brother asked the old man, “What does the bush stand for?” And he says to him, “The bush stands for bodily practice. For it is written, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.’” The brother says to the old man, “So without bodily labor a man does not advance to any honor?” The old man says to him, “Indeed it is written, ‘Looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross.’ And again David says, ‘If I give sleep to my eyes and slumber to my eyelids,’ and so on.” ### Scripture references - Exod 3:2: allusion, high confidence - Matt 13:44: quotation, high confidence - Heb 12:2: quotation, high confidence - Ps 132:4 (131:4 LXX): quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Variant notes and a repeated line are removed; the name of Jesus, half lost in the scan, is restored. Exod 3:1–2; Matt 13:44; Heb 12:2; Ps 132:4 (LXX 131:4). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 62.4 (PG 65:247–249; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/62-4). ## Cronius 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-62-5 - Source: PG 65:249 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A poorly dressed monk at Sinai, once a praetorian prefect, avoids a mission to court by calling himself a runaway slave. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Κρόνιος, ὅτι Διηγήσατο ἡμῖν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωσὴφ ὁ τοῦ Πηλουσίου, ὅτι Καθημένου μου εἰς τὸ Σινᾶ, ἦν ἐκεῖ ἀδελφὸς καλὸς καὶ ἀσκητὴς, ἀλλὰ καὶ κατὰ τὸ σῶμα εὐειδής· καὶ ἤρχετο εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν εἰς τὴν σύναξιν, φορῶν πολύῤῥαφον καὶ μικρὸν μαφόριον παλαιόν. Καὶ θεωρῶν αὐτὸν καθάπαξ οὕτως εἰς τὴν σύναξιν ἐρχόμενον, λέγω αὐτῷ· Ἀδελφὲ, οὐ βλέπεις τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς, πῶς εἰσιν ὡς ἄγγελοι εἰς τὴν σύναξιν ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ; πῶς σὺ πάντοτε οὗτως ἔρχῃ ὧδε Ὁ̔ δὲ ἔφη· Συγχώρησόν μοι, ἀββᾶ, ὅτι οὐκ ἔχω ἄλλα. Ἔλαβον οὖν αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ μου, καὶ ἔδωκα αὐτῷ λεβίτωνα καὶ εἴ τι ἄλλο ἔχρῃζε· καὶ ἐφόρει λοιπὸν ὡς καὶ οἱ λοιποὶ ἀδελφοὶ, καὶ ἦν ἰδεῖν αὐτὸν ὡς ἄγγελον. Ἐγένετο δὲ ποτε χρεία τοῖς Πατράσιν, ἀποστεῖλαι δέκα ἀδελφοὺς πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα διά τινα χρείαν· καὶ ἐψηφίσαντο καὶ αὐτὸν μετὰ τῶν ὑπαγόντων. Ὡς δὲ ἤκουσεν, ἔβαλε μετάνοιαν τοῖς Πατράσι, λέγων· Διὰ τὸν Κύριον συγχωρήσατέ μοι, ὅτι δοῦλός εἰμί τινος μεγάλου τῶν ἐκεῖ· καὶ ἐὰν γνωρίσῃ με, ἀποσχηματίζει με, καὶ φέρει πάλιν εἰς τὸ δουλεύειν αὐτῷ. Μετὰ οὖν τὸ πεισθῆναι τοὺς Πατέρας, καὶ ἀφεῖναι αὐτὸν, ἔμαθον ὕστερον παρά τινος ἀκριβῶς ἐπισταμένου αὐτὸν, ὅτι ὅτε ἦν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, ἔπαρχος πραιτωρίων ὑπῆρχε· καὶ ἵνα μὴ γνωσθῇ, καὶ ὄχλησιν εὔρῃ ἐκ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, τοῦτο προεφασίσατο. Τοσαύτη ἦν σπουδὴ τοῖς Πατράσι, φεύγειν τὴν δόξαν καὶ τὴν ἀνάπαυσιν τοῦ κόσμου τούτου. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Cronius said, “Abba Joseph of Pelusium told us: ‘When I was living at Sinai, there was a brother there, good and ascetic, and also handsome in body; and he came to church for the synaxis wearing a much-patched old garment and a small shoulder cloth. Seeing him always coming to the synaxis like this, I said to him, “Brother, do you not see the brothers, how they look like angels at the synaxis in church? Why do you always come here like this?” He said, “Forgive me, abba, for I have nothing else.” So I took him into my cell and gave him a tunic and whatever else he needed; and from then on he dressed like the other brothers, and he looked like an angel. Once the Fathers needed to send ten brothers to the emperor on some business; and they chose him too among those going. When he heard it, he made a prostration to the Fathers, saying, “For the Lord’s sake forgive me, for I am the slave of one of the great men there; and if he recognizes me, he will strip me of the habit and bring me back to serve him.” After the Fathers were persuaded and let him off, we learned afterward from someone who knew him well that when he was in the world he had been praetorian prefect; and he made this excuse so as not to be recognized and be troubled by people.’ So great was the Fathers’ eagerness to flee glory and the comfort of this world.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 62.5 (PG 65:249; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/62-5). ## Carion 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-63-1 - Source: PG 65:249 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Carion admits his son Zacharias surpasses him in humility and silence. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Καρίων ὅτι Πολλοὺς κόπους ἐποίησα, πλέον τοῦ υἱοῦ μου Ζαχαρίου, καὶ οὐκ ἔφθασα εἰς τὰ μέτρα αὐτοῦ, ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει καὶ ἐν τῇ σιωπῇ αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Carion said, “I have done many more labors than my son Zacharias, and I have not reached his measure in humility and silence.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 63.1 (PG 65:249; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/63-1). ## Carion 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-63-2 - Source: PG 65:249–251 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Carion’s son Zacharias, a cause of grumbling at Scetis, disfigures himself in the natron lake and is declared an angel. ### Greek text Γέγονέ τις ἐν τῇ Σκήτει μοναχὸς, ἀββᾶς Καρίων λεγόμενος. Οὗτος ἐσχηκὼς δύο τέκνα, ἐάσας αὐτὰ τῇ ἰδίᾳ γυναικὶ, ἀνεχώρησε. Μετὰ δὲ καιρὸν, λιμοῦ γενομένου ἐν τῇ Αἰγύπτῳ, στενωθεῖσα ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ, ἦλθεν ἐν τῇ Σκήτει φέρουσα τὰ δύο παιδία μεθ' ἑαυτῆς (ἦν δὲ τὸ ἓν ἀῤῥενικὸν λεγόμενον Ζαχαρίας, καὶ τὸ ἓν θηλυκὸν), καὶ καθίσασα πόρρωθεν τοῦ γέροντος ἐν τῷ ἔλει· ἕλος γὰρ παράκειται ἐν τῇ Σκήτει, ἔνθα καὶ αἱ ἐκκλησίαι ᾠκοδόμηνται, καὶ αἱ πηγαὶ τῶν ὑδάτων εἰσί. Συνήθεια δὲ τοιαύτη ἦν ἐν τῇ Σκήτει, ἵνα ἔλθῃ γυνὴ, λαλῆσαι ἀδελφῷ αὐτῆς, ἢ ἄλλῳ διαφέροντι αὐτῇ, ἀπὸ μακρόθεν καθεζομένων αὐτῶν ἀπ᾿ ἀλλήλων ὁμιλῶσιν ἀλλήλοις. Τότε λέγει ἡ γυνὴ τῷ ἀββᾷ Καρίωνι· Ἰδοὺ γέγονας μοναχὸς, καὶ λιμός ἐστι· τίς οὖν τρέφει τὰ τέκνα σου; Λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ ἀββᾶς Καρίων· Καὶ ἀπόστειλόν μοι αὐτὰ ὧδε. Λέγει ἡ γυνὴ τοῖς τέκνοις· Απέλθετε πρὸς τὸν πατέρα ὑμῶν. Ἐρχομένων οὖν αὐτῶν πρὸς τὸν πατέρα αὐτῶν, τὸ θηλυκὸν ὑπέστρεψε πρὸς τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ, τὸ δὲ ἀῤῥενικὸν ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν ἴδιον πατέρα. Τότε λέγει αὐτῇ· Ἰδοὺ καλῶς ἐγένετο· λάβε σὺ τὸ θηλυκὸν καὶ ἄπελθε, κἀγὼ τὸ ἀῤῥενικόν. Ανέτρεφεν οὖν αὐτὸ ἐν τῇ Σκήτει, πάντων εἰδότων ὅτι τέκνον αὐτοῦ ἐστιν. Ὡς δὲ ἡλικίας γέγονε, γογγυσμὸς ἐγένετο ἐν τῇ ἀδελφότητι περὶ αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ἀκούσας ὁ ἀββᾶς Καρίων, λέγει τῷ τέκνῳ αὐτοῦ· Ζαχαρία, ἔγειρε, ἄγωμεν ἐντεῦθεν, ὅτι γογγύζουσιν οἱ Πατέρες. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ μικρός· Ἀβᾶ, πάντες οἴδασιν ἐνταῦθα ὅτι υἱός σου εἰμι· ἐὰν δὲ ἄλλῃ ἀπέλθωμεν, οὐκ ἔχουσι λέγειν ὅτι υἱός σού εἰμι. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἔγειρε, ἄγωμεν ἐντεῦθεν. Καὶ ἀπῆλθον ἐν τῇ Θηβαΐδι. Ὡς δὲ λαβόντες κελλίον ἐκάθισαν ὀλίγας ἡμέρας, κἀκεῖ ὁ αὐτὸς γογγυσμὸς γέγονε περὶ τοῦ παιδίου. Τότε λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ· Ζαχαρία, ἔγειρε, ἄγωμεν ἐν τῇ Σκήτει. Καὶ ἐλθόντων αὐτῶν ἐν τῇ Σκήτει, καὶ ὀλίγων ἡμερῶν παρελθουσῶν, πάλιν γογγυσμὸς ἐγένετο περὶ αὐτοῦ. Τότε Ζαχαρίας ὁ παῖς, ἐλθὼν εἰς τὴν λίμνην τοῦ νίτρου, καὶ ἀποδυσάμενος, κατῆλθε κάτω μέχρι τῆς ῥινὸς αὐτοῦ καταβαπτίσας ἑαυτόν· καὶ μείνας ἐπὶ πολλὴν ὥραν, ὅσην ἠδύνατο, ἡφάνισε τὸ ἑαυτοῦ σῶμα· γέγονε γὰρ ὡς λελωβημένος. Καὶ ἀνελθὼν ἐφόρεσε τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀπῆλθε πρὸς τὸν ἴδιον πατέρα· καὶ μόλις ἐπέγνω αὐτόν. Απελθόντος δὲ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν ἁγίαν κοινωνίαν κατὰ τὸ ἔθος, ἀπεκαλύφθη τῷ ἁγίῳ Ἰσιδώρῳ τῷ πρεσβυτέρῳ τῆς Σκήτεως, ὅπερ ἐποίησε· καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν καὶ θαυμάσας, εἶπε· Ζαχαρίας ὁ παῖς τῇ Κυριακῇ παρελθούσῃ ἦλθε καὶ ἐκοινώνησεν ὡς ἄνθρωπος, νῦν δὲ ὡς ἄγγελος ἐγένετο. ### English translation (Claude) There was a monk at Scetis called abba Carion. He had two children, and leaving them with his own wife, he withdrew. After a time, when there was a famine in Egypt, his wife, in distress, came to Scetis bringing the two children with her (one was a boy called Zacharias, the other a girl), and she sat at a distance from the old man in the marsh; for there is a marsh beside Scetis, where the churches are built and the springs of water are. Such was the custom at Scetis: if a woman came to speak with her brother or another relative, they sat at a distance from one another and talked. Then the woman says to abba Carion, “Look, you have become a monk, and there is a famine; so who will feed your children?” Abba Carion says to her, “Send them here to me.” The woman says to the children, “Go to your father.” As they were going to their father, the girl turned back to her mother, but the boy came to his own father. Then he says to her, “Look, it has turned out well; you take the girl and go, and I the boy.” So he brought him up at Scetis, everyone knowing that he was his son. When he grew up, there was grumbling in the brotherhood about him. And hearing of it, abba Carion says to his child, “Zacharias, get up, let us go from here, for the Fathers are grumbling.” The boy says to him, “Abba, everyone here knows that I am your son; but if we go elsewhere, they cannot say that I am your son.” And the old man says to him, “Get up, let us go from here.” And they went to the Thebaid. When they had taken a cell and stayed a few days, the same grumbling arose there too about the boy. Then his father says to him, “Zacharias, get up, let us go to Scetis.” And when they came to Scetis and a few days had passed, again there was grumbling about him. Then the boy Zacharias went to the lake of natron, undressed, went down into it up to his nostrils, immersing himself; and staying there for a long time, as long as he could, he disfigured his body; for he became like a leper. And coming up, he put on his clothes and went to his own father; and he barely recognized him. When he went to holy communion as usual, it was revealed to holy Isidore, the presbyter of Scetis, what he had done; and seeing him and marveling, he said, “The boy Zacharias came last Sunday and communicated as a man; now he has become like an angel.” ### Translation notes - The boy’s disfigurement of himself to end the grumbling (about his youthful beauty) is narrated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 63.2 (PG 65:249–251; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/63-2). ## Copres 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-64-1 - Source: PG 65:251 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Copres gave thanks in illness and curbed his own will. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν διὰ τὸν ἀββᾶν Κόπριν, ὅτι εἰς τοσοῦτον ἦλθε μέτρον, ὅτι ἡσθένει καὶ κλινήρης ἦν, καὶ εὐχαρίστει, καὶ ἐκώλυε τὸ ἴδιον θέλημα. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said of abba Copres that he came to such a measure that while he was ill and bedridden he gave thanks and restrained his own will. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 64.1 (PG 65:251; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/64-1). ## Copres 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-64-2 - Source: PG 65:251 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Blessed is one who bears toil with thanks. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Κόπρις· Μακάριος ὁ ὑπομένων κόπον μετ᾿ εὐχαριστίας. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Copres said, “Blessed is the one who endures toil with thanksgiving.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 64.2 (PG 65:251; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/64-2). ## Copres 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-64-3 - Source: PG 65:251 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Copres rebukes himself and the monks for debating Melchizedek while neglecting God’s commands. ### Greek text Συνήχθησάν ποτε οἱ ἐν τῇ Σκήτει περὶ τοῦ Μελχισεδέκ, καὶ ἐπελάθοντο καλέσαι τὸν ἀββᾶν Κόπριν ὕστερον δὲ καλέσαντες αὐτὸν, ἠρώτων περὶ τούτου. Ὁ δὲ, τύψας τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τρεῖς, εἶπεν· Οὐαί σοι, Κόπρι! ὅτι ἃ ὁ Θεὸς ἐνετείλατό σοι ποιῆσαι ἐγκατέλειπες, καὶ ἃ οὐ ζητεί παρὰ σοῦ ἐρευνᾷς. Καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ ἀδελφοὶ ταῦτα, ἔφυγον εἰς τὰ κελλία αὐτῶν. ### English translation (Claude) Once the monks of Scetis gathered about Melchizedek, and they forgot to call abba Copres; but afterward they called him and asked him about it. And he, striking his mouth three times, said, “Woe to you, Copres! For what God commanded you to do you have abandoned, and what he does not require of you, you investigate.” Hearing this, the brothers fled to their cells. ### Scripture references - Gen 14:18: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 64.3 (PG 65:251; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/64-3). ## Cyrus 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-65-1 - Source: PG 65:253 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Cyrus explains that tempting thoughts show one is not committing the deed, and urges fleeing real women and praying. ### Greek text Πρὸς τὸν λογισμὸν τῆς πορνείας, ἐπερωτηθεὶς ὁ ἀββᾶς Κῦρος ὁ Ἀλεξανδρεὺς, ἀπεκρίνατο οὕτως· Ἐὰν λογισμὸν οὐκ ἔχῃς, ἐλπίδα οὐκ ἔχεις· ἐὰν λογισμοὺς οὐκ ἔχῃς, πρᾶξιν ἔχεις. Τοῦτο δὲ ἐστιν, ὅτι ὁ κατὰ διάνοιαν πρὸς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν μὴ πολεμῶν, μηδὲ ἀντιλέγων, σωματικῶς πράττει αὐτήν. Ὁ γὰρ ἔχων πράξεις διὰ λογισμῶν οὐκ ὀχλεῖται. Ἠρώτησε δὲ ὁ γέρων τὸν ἀδελφὸν, λέγων. Μὴ συνήθειαν ἔχεις εἰς ὁμιλίαν γυναικός Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀδελφός· Οὔ· παλαιοί καὶ νέοι ζωγράφοι εἰσὶν οἱ λογισμοί μου· μνῆμαί εἰσιν ὀχλοῦσαί μοι, καὶ γυναικῶν εἴδωλα. Ὁ δὲ γέρων πρὸς αὐτόν· Νεκροὺς μὴ φοβοῦ· ἀλλὰ τοὺς ζῶντας φεῦγε, καὶ ἐπεκτείνου μᾶλλον εἰς προσευχήν. ### English translation (Claude) Asked about the thought of sexual immorality, abba Cyrus of Alexandria answered thus: “If you do not have thought, you have no hope; if you do not have thoughts, you have the deed. That is, one who does not fight sin in the mind and resist it commits it in the body. For one who has the deeds is not troubled by thoughts.” And the old man asked the brother, saying, “Are you not accustomed to conversing with a woman?” And the brother said, “No; but my thoughts are painters of old and new pictures; memories trouble me, and images of women.” The old man said to him, “Do not fear the dead; but flee the living, and stretch yourself rather toward prayer.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 65.1 (PG 65:253; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/65-1). ## Lucius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-66-1 - Source: PG 65:253 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Lucius shows the Euchites how work, prayer, and almsgiving together fulfill “pray without ceasing.” ### Greek text Παρέβαλόν ποτέ τινες τῷ ἀββᾷ Λουκίῳ εἰς τὸ Ἕνατον, οἱ λεγόμενοι Εὐκτῖται μοναχοί· καὶ ἠρώτησεν αὐτοὺς ὁ γέρων· Τί τὸ ἐργόχειρον ὑμῶν; Οἱ δὲ εἶπον· Ἡμεῖς οὐ ψηλαφῶμεν ἐργόχειρον· ἀλλὰ, καθὼς λέγει ὁ Ἀπόστολος, ἀδιαλείπτως προσευχόμεθα. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Οὐκ ἐσθίετε; Καὶ εἶπον· Ναί. Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ὅτε οὖν ἐσθίετε, τίς εὔχεται ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν; Πάλιν οὖν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Οὐ κοιμᾶσθε; Καὶ εἶπον· Ναί. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ὅτε οὖν κοιμᾶσθε, τίς εὔχεται περὶ ὑμῶν; Καὶ οὐχ εὗρον πρὸς ταῦτα ἀποκρίνασθαι αὐτῷ. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Συγχωρήσατέ μοι, ἰδοὺ οὐ ποιεῖτε καθὼς λέγετε. Ἐγὼ δὲ δεικνύω ὑμῖν, προσεύχομαι. Καθέζομαι σὺν Θεῷ βρέξας τὰ μικρά μου θαλλία καὶ πλέκων αὐτὰ σειρὰν, λέγω· Ἐλέησόν με, ὁ Θεὸς, κατὰ τὸ μέγα ἔλεός σου, καὶ κατὰ τὸ πλῆθος τῶν οἰκτιρμῶν σου ἐξάλειψον τὸ ἀνόμημά μου. Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Οὐκ ἔστιν εὐχὴ τοῦτο Καὶ εἶπον· Ναί. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ὅταν οὖν ἐμμείνω δι᾽ ὅλης ἡμέρας ἐργαζόμενος καὶ εὐχόμενος, ποιῶ πλεῖον ἢ ἔλαττον δεκαέξ νουμία καὶ παρέχω ἐξ αὐτῶν εἰς τὴν θύραν δύο, καὶ τὰ λοιπά ἐσθίω· καὶ εὔχεται ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ ὁ λαβὼν τὰ δύο νουμία ὅτε ἐσθίω ἢ ὅτε κοιμῶμαι· καὶ διὰ τῆς χάριτος τοῦ Θεοῦ πληροῦταί μοι τὸ ἀδιαλείπτως προσεύχεσθαι. ### English translation (Claude) Once some monks called Euchites visited abba Lucius at the Enaton; and the old man asked them, “What is your handiwork?” They said, “We do not touch handiwork; but as the Apostle says, we pray unceasingly.” And the old man says, “Do you not eat?” And they said, “Yes.” And he says to them, “So when you eat, who prays for you?” Again he said to them, “Do you not sleep?” And they said, “Yes.” And the old man says, “So when you sleep, who prays for you?” And they found nothing to answer him. And he said to them, “Forgive me, but look, you do not do as you say. But I will show you how I pray unceasingly. I sit with God, soaking my little palm leaves and plaiting them into rope, and I say, ‘Have mercy on me, O God, according to your great mercy, and according to the multitude of your compassions blot out my transgression.’” And he says to them, “Is this not prayer?” And they said, “Yes.” And he said to them, “So when I continue the whole day working and praying, I make sixteen coins, more or less, and I give two of them at the door, and I eat the rest; and the one who receives the two coins prays for me when I eat or when I sleep; and so by the grace of God the ‘pray without ceasing’ is fulfilled for me.” ### Scripture references - 1 Thess 5:17: quotation, high confidence - Ps 51:1 (50:3 LXX): quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - The Euchites (Messalians) rejected manual work in favor of constant prayer; they were condemned as heretics. Quotations of 1 Thess 5:17 and Ps 51:1 (LXX 50:3). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 66.1 (PG 65:253; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/66-1). ## Lot 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-67-1 - Source: PG 65:253–255 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Advised by Arsenius, Lot tells an old man spreading Origen’s teachings to stop, and the man leaves of his own accord. ### Greek text Ἦλθέ τις τῶν γερόντων πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Λὼτ, πρὸς τὸ μικρὸν ἕλος τοῦ Ἀρσενοῖτου, καὶ παρεκάλεσεν αὐτὸν διὰ κελλίον, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ. Ἦν δὲ ὁ γέρων ἀσθενής· καὶ ἀνέπαυσεν αὐτὸν ὁ ἀββᾶς Λώτ· καὶ εἰ ἤρχοντό τινες παραβαλεῖν τῷ ἀββᾷ Λὼτ, ἐποίει αὐτοὺς παραβαλεῖν καὶ τῷ γέροντι τῷ ἀσθενεῖ. Καὶ ἤρξατο λαλεῖν αὐτοῖς λόγους τοῦ Ὠριγένους· καὶ ἐθλίβετο ὁ ἀββᾶς Λὼτ, λέγων· Μὴ καὶ νομίσωσιν οἱ Πατέρες, ὅτι καὶ ἡμεῖς οὕτως ἐσμέν· καὶ ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτὸν ἐκ τοῦ τόπου ἐφοβεῖτο διὰ τὴν ἐντολήν. Καὶ ἀναστὰς ὁ ἀββᾶς Λὼτ, ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀρσένιον, καὶ διηγήσατο αὐτῷ περὶ τοῦ γέροντος. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος· Μὴ διώξῃς αὐτὸν, ἀλλ᾿ εἰπὲ αὐτῷ· Ἰδοὺ ἐκ τῶν τοῦ Θεοῦ φάγε, πίε, ὡς θέλεις, μόνον τὸν λόγον τοῦτον μὴ λαλήσῃς· καὶ ἐὰν θέλῃ, διορθοῦται· εἰ δὲ μὴ θέλῃ διορθώσασθαι, ἀφ' ἑαυτοῦ μέλλει παρακαλεῖν τοῦ ἀναχωρῆσαι ἐκ τοῦ τόπου· καὶ οὐκ ἀπὸ σοῦ γίνεται ἡ ἀφορμή. Ἀπελθὼν οὖν ὁ ἀββᾶς Λὼτ ἐποίησεν οὕτως. Καὶ ὁ γέρων ὡς ἤκουσε ταῦτα, οὐκ ἤθελε διορθώσασθαι· ἀλλ᾽ ἔβαλε παρακαλεῖν λέγων· Διὰ τὸν Κύριον πέμψατέ με ἐντεῦθεν, ὅτι οὐκ ἔτι δύναμαι βαστάξαι τὴν ἔρημον. Καὶ οὕτως ἀναστὰς ἐξῆλθε, προπεμπόμενος μετὰ ἀγάπης. ### English translation (Claude) One of the old men came to abba Lot at the little marsh of Arsinoë and asked him for a cell, and he gave him one. The old man was sick; and abba Lot cared for him; and if anyone came to visit abba Lot, he had them visit the sick old man too. And he began to speak to them words of Origen; and abba Lot was distressed, saying, “Lest the Fathers think that we too are like this”; and he was afraid to throw him out of the place because of the commandment. And getting up, abba Lot went to abba Arsenius and told him about the old man. And abba Arsenius says to him, “Do not drive him out, but say to him, ‘Look, eat and drink of God’s gifts as you wish; only do not speak this word.’ And if he is willing, he will correct himself; but if he is not willing to correct himself, he will of his own accord ask to leave the place; and the occasion will not come from you.” So abba Lot went and did so. And when the old man heard this, he would not correct himself; but he began begging, saying, “For the Lord’s sake send me away from here, for I can no longer bear the desert.” And so he got up and left, sent off with love. ### Translation notes - “Words of Origen” are teachings ascribed to Origen that were controversial among the monks (cf. the Origenist disputes of ca. 400); the saying is translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 67.1 (PG 65:253–255; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/67-1). ## Lot 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-67-2 - Source: PG 65:255 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Lot takes on half the sin of a brother who had sacrificed to idols to obtain a woman, and the brother’s repentance is accepted. ### Greek text Διηγήσατό τις περί τινος ἀδελφοῦ ἐμπεσόντος εἰς ἁμαρτίαν, ὅτι παραβάλλων τῷ ἀββᾷ Λὼτ, ἐταράσσετο εἰσερχόμενος καὶ ἐξερχόμενος, μὴ δυνάμενος καθίσαι. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Λώτ· Τί ἔχεις, ἀδελφέ; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ἁμαρτίαν μεγάλην ἐποίησα, καὶ οὐ δύναμαι ἐξειπεῖν τοῖς Πατράσι. Λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ὁμολόγησόν μοι αὐτὴν, κἀγὼ βαστάζω αὐτήν. Τότε εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Εἰς πορνείαν ἔπεσον, καὶ ἔθυσα τοῦ τυχεῖν τοῦ πράγματος. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Θάρσει ὅτι ἔστι μετάνοια· ὕπαγε, κάθου εἰς τὸ σπήλαιον, καὶ νήστευσον δύο δύο, κἀγὼ βαστάζω μετὰ σοῦ τὸ ἥμισυ τῆς ἁμαρτίας. Πληρωθεισῶν οὖν τῶν τριῶν ἑβδομάδων, ἐπληροφορήθη ὁ γέρων ὅτι ἐδέξατο ὁ Θεὸς τὴν μετάνοιαν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ. Καὶ ἔμεινεν ὑποτασσόμενος τῷ γέροντι ἕως τοῦ θανάτου αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Someone related about a brother who had fallen into sin, that when he visited abba Lot, he was troubled, going in and out, unable to sit still. And abba Lot says to him, “What is wrong, brother?” He said, “I have committed a great sin, and I cannot tell it to the Fathers.” The old man says, “Confess it to me, and I will carry it.” Then he said to him, “I fell into sexual immorality, and I offered sacrifice to obtain the thing.” And the old man says to him, “Take courage, for there is repentance. Go, sit in the cave and fast two days at a time, and I will carry half of the sin with you.” When three weeks were completed, the old man received assurance that God had accepted the brother’s repentance. And he remained in obedience to the old man until his death. ### Scripture references - Gal 6:2: echo, medium confidence ### Translation notes - “Offered sacrifice” (ἔθυσα): the brother had sacrificed to pagan gods or used magic to win the woman; translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 67.2 (PG 65:255; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/67-2). ## Longinus 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-68-1 - Source: PG 65:255 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Lucius tells Longinus that exile, fasting, and solitude are worthless without control of tongue, thoughts, and life among others. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Λογγίνος τὸν ἀββᾶν Λούκιόν ποτε τρεῖς λογισμοὺς, λέγων· Θέλω ξενιτεῦσαι. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἐὰν μὴ κρατήσῃς τῆς γλώσσης σου, οὐκ εἶ ξένος, ὅπου ἐὰν ἀπέλθῃς. Καὶ ὧδε οὖν κράτησον τῆς γλώσσης σου, καὶ ξένος εἶ. Λέγει αὐτῷ πάλιν· Θέλω νηστεῦσαι. Ἀπεκρίθη ὁ γέρων· Εἶπεν Ἡσαΐας ὁ προφήτης· Ἐὰν κάμψῃς ὡς κλοιὸν καὶ κρίκον τὸν τράχηλόν σου, οὐδὲ οὕτως κληθήσεται νηστεία δεκτή· ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον κράτησον τῶν πονηρῶν λογισμῶν. Λέγει αὐτῷ τὸ τρίτον· Θέλω φυγεῖν τοὺς ἀνθρώπους. Ἀπεκρίθη ὁ γέρων· Ἐὰν μὴ πρῶτον κατορθώσῃς μετὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, οὐδὲ καταμόνας δύνασαι κατορθῶσαι. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Longinus asked abba Lucius about three thoughts, saying, “I want to go into exile.” The old man says to him, “Unless you control your tongue, you are not an exile wherever you go. So control your tongue here, and you are an exile.” He says to him again, “I want to fast.” The old man answered, “The prophet Isaiah said, ‘Even if you bend your neck like a collar and a ring, not even so will it be called an acceptable fast’; rather control your evil thoughts.” He says to him the third time, “I want to flee from people.” The old man answered, “Unless you first succeed among people, you cannot succeed alone either.” ### Scripture references - Isa 58:5: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Isa 58:5 (LXX). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 68.1 (PG 65:255; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/68-1). ## Longinus 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-68-2 - Source: PG 65:255 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Longinus tells his sick body it may die rather than receive food out of season. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Λογγίνος· Ἅπαξ κακωθεὶς λέγε, Καὶ κακώθητι, καὶ ἀπόθανον· ἐὰν δὲ ἀπαιτήσης με παρὰ καιρὸν φαγεῖν, οὐδὲ τὴν καθημερινήν σοι τροφὴν προσφέρω. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Longinus said, “When you are once afflicted with illness, say, ‘Be ill, and die; but if you ask me to eat out of season, I will not give you even your daily food.’” ### Translation notes - The saying is addressed by the monk to his body; the Greek is compressed and translated by sense. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 68.2 (PG 65:255; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/68-2). ## Longinus 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-68-3 - Source: PG 65:255–257 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Longinus heals a woman’s breast cancer while calling himself an impostor. ### Greek text Γυνή τις ἔχουσα πάθος κατὰ τοῦ μασθοῦ αὐτῆς, τὸ λεγόμενον καρκίνον, ἀκούσασα περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Λογγίνου, ἐζήτησε συντυχεῖν αὐτῷ. Ἐκάθητο οὖν οὗτος ἐν τῷ ἐνάτῳ σημείῳ Ἀλεξανδρείας τῷ πρὸς δυσμάς. Ἐπιζητούσης δὲ τῆς γυναικὸς, συνέβη τὸν μακάριον ἐκεῖνον συλλέγειν ξύλα παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν. Καὶ εὐροῦσα αὐτὸν, λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, ποῦ μένει ὁ ἀββᾶς Λογγίνος ὁ δοῦλος τοῦ Θεοῦ; μὴ εἰδυῖα ὅτι αὐτὸς ἐστιν. Ὁ δέ φησι· Τί θέλεις τὸν ἐπιθέτην ἐκεῖνον; μὴ ἀπέλθῃς πρὸς αὐτόν· ἐπιθέτης γάρ ἐστι. Τί δὲ ἐστιν ὁ ἔχεις; Ἡ δὲ γυνὴ ἔδειξε τὸ πάθος. Ὁ δὲ σφραγίσας τὸν τόπον, ἀπέλυσεν αὐτὴν, εἰπών· "Απελθε, καὶ ὁ Θεός σε θεραπεύει· Λογγίνος γὰρ οὐδέν σε δύναται ὠφελῆσαι. Ἀπῆλθε δὲ ἡ γυνὴ πιστεύσασα τῷ λόγῳ, καὶ ἐθεραπεύθη παραχρῆμα. Μετὰ ταῦτα διηγησαμένη τισὶ τὸ πρᾶγμα, καὶ τὰ σημεῖα εἰποῦσα τοῦ γέροντος, μανθάνει ὅτι αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ ἀββᾶς Λογγίνος. ### English translation (Claude) A woman who had a disease of her breast, called cancer, heard of abba Longinus and sought to meet him. He was living at the ninth milestone west of Alexandria. As the woman was looking for him, it happened that the blessed man was gathering wood by the sea. And finding him, she says to him, “Abba, where does abba Longinus, the servant of God, live?”, not knowing that it was he. He says, “What do you want with that impostor? Do not go to him, for he is an impostor. But what is wrong with you?” And the woman showed the disease. And he made the sign of the cross over the place and sent her away, saying, “Go, and God heals you; for Longinus can do you no good.” The woman went away believing the word, and was healed at once. Afterward, telling some people the matter and describing the marks of the old man, she learns that it was abba Longinus himself. ### Translation notes - The words “west” (τῷ πρὸς δυσμάς), displaced in the scan, are put back after “Alexandria.” The ninth milestone is the Enaton. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 68.3 (PG 65:255–257; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/68-3). ## Longinus 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-68-4 - Source: PG 65:257 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A demon cast out by Zeno confesses it leaves because of Longinus’s distant prayers. ### Greek text "Αλλοτε πάλιν φέρουσιν αὐτῷ τινες δαιμονιῶντα. Ὁ δὲ φησιν πρὸς αὐτούς· Ἐγώ τι ποιῆσαι ὑμῖν οὐκ ἔχω· ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον ἀπέλθετε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ζήνωνα. Εἶτα ὁ ἀββᾶς Ζήνων ἤρξατο ἐπικεῖσθαι τῷ δαίμονι ἐκδιώκων αὐτόν. Καὶ ἤρξατο βοᾷν ὁ δαίμων· Ἄρτι νομίζεις, ἀββᾶ Ζήνων, ὅτι διὰ σὲ ἐξέρχομαι· ἰδοὺ ὁ ἀββᾶς Λογγίνος ἐκεῖ προσεύχεται, κατ᾿ ἐμοῦ ἐντυγχάνων· καὶ φοβούμενος τὰς εὐχὰς αὐτοῦ ἐξέρχομαι, ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἐδίδουν σοι ἀπόκρισιν. ### English translation (Claude) Another time some people bring him a man possessed by a demon. He says to them, “I can do nothing for you; rather go to abba Zeno.” Then abba Zeno began to press the demon, driving it out. And the demon began to shout, “Do you think now, abba Zeno, that I am coming out because of you? Look, abba Longinus is praying over there, interceding against me; and I am coming out because I fear his prayers; for I would not have given you an answer.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 68.4 (PG 65:257; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/68-4). ## Longinus 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-68-5 - Source: PG 65:257 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Longinus compares the soul conceiving the Spirit to a woman whose bleeding stops: give blood and receive the Spirit. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Λογγίνος τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀκακίῳ· Ἡ γυνὴ τότε γινώσκει ὅτι συνέλαβεν, ὅταν σταλῇ τὸ αἷμα αὐτῆς. Οὕτως οὖν καὶ ἡ ψυχὴ, τότε γινώσκει ὅτι συνέλαβε Πνεῦμα ἅγιον, ὅταν σταλῇ τὰ ῥέοντα ἀπ᾿ αὐτῆς κάτωθεν πάθη. Ἐν ὅσῳ δὲ ἐνέχεται ἐν αὐτοῖς, πῶς δύναται κενοδοξεῖν ὡς ἀπαθής; Δὸς αἷμα, καὶ λάβε Πνεῦμα. Ἀρχὴ τοῦ Μ στοιχείου. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Longinus said to abba Acacius, “A woman knows that she has conceived when her blood is stopped. So too the soul knows that it has conceived the Holy Spirit when the passions flowing from it below are stopped. But as long as it is held by them, how can it be vain as though it were passionless? Give blood, and receive Spirit.” [Beginning of the letter M.] ### Translation notes - The comparison with menstruation and conception is translated as written. The last words are a heading of the printed collection. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 68.5 (PG 65:257; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/68-5). ## Macarius the Egyptian 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-69-1 - Source: PG 65:257–259 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius, falsely accused of fathering a child, works to support the woman until her confession clears him, then flees to Scetis. ### Greek text Διηγήσατο περὶ ἑαυτοῦ ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος, λέγων· Ὅτε ἤμην νεώτερος καὶ ἐκαθήμην εἰς κελλίον εἰς Αἴγυπτον, ἐκράτησάν με καὶ ἐποίησαν κληρικόν εἰς τὴν κώμην. Καὶ μὴ θέλων καταδέξασθαι, ἔφυγον εἰς ἕτερον τόπον. Καὶ ἦλθε πρὸς μὲ εὐλαβὴς κοσμικός, καὶ ἐλάμβανε τὸ ἐργόχειρόν μου, καὶ διηκόνει μοι. Συνέβη δὲ ἀπὸ πειρασμοῦ παρθένον τινὰ εἰς τὴν κώμην ἐκπεσεῖν. Καὶ λαβοῦσα κατὰ γαστρὸς ἡρωτᾶτο τίς εἴη ὁ τοῦτο πεποιηκώς. Ἡ δὲ ἔλεγεν· Ὁ ἀναχωρητής. Καὶ ἐξελθόντες συνέλαβόν με εἰς τὴν κώμην, καὶ ἐκρέμασαν ἐν τῷ τραχήλῳ μου ἠσβολωμένας χύτρας καὶ ὠτία κούφων καὶ περιεπόμπευσάν με ἐν τῇ κώμῃ κατὰ ἄμφοδον τύπτοντές με, καὶ λέγοντες· Οὗτος ὁ μοναχὸς ἔφθειρεν ἡμῶν τὴν παρθένον, λάβετε αὐτὸν, λάβετε. Καὶ ἔτυψάν με παρὰ μικρὸν τοῦ ἀποθανεῖν. Ἐλθὼν δὲ τις τῶν γερόντων εἶπεν· Ἕως πότε τύπτετε τὸν ξένον μοναχόν; Ὁ δὲ διακονῶν μοι ἠκολούθει ὀπίσω μου αἰδούμενος. Ήσαν γὰρ ὑβρίζοντες αὐτὸν πολλά, καὶ λέγοντες· Ἰδοὺ ὁ ἀναχωρητὴς ὂν σὺ ἐμαρτύρεις, τί ἐποίησε; Καὶ λέγουσιν οἱ γονεῖς αὐτῆς· Οὐκ ἀπολύομεν αὐτὸν, ἕως δῷ ἐγγυητὴν τοῦ τρέφειν αὐτήν. Καὶ εἶπον τῷ διὰκονητῇ μου· καὶ ἐνηγγυήσατό με. Καὶ ἀπελθὼν εἰς τὸ κελλίον μου, ἔδωκα αὐτῷ ὅσα εἶχον σπυρίδια, λέγων· Πώλησον, καὶ δὸς τῇ γυναικί μου φαγεῖν. Καὶ ἔλεγον τῷ λογισμῷ μου· Μακάριε, ἰδοὺ εὖρες ἑαυτῷ γυναῖκα χρὴ ἐργάζεσθαι μικρὸν περισσὸν ἵνα τρέφῃς αὐτήν· καὶ εἰργαζόμην νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν, καὶ ἔπεμπον αὐτῇ. Καὶ ὅτε ἦλθεν ὁ καιρὸς τῇ ἀθλίᾳ τεκεῖν, ἔμεινεν ἐπὶ πολλὰς ἡμέρας βασανιζομένη, καὶ οὐκ ἔτικτε. Καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῇ· Τί ἐστι τοῦτο; Ἡ δὲ εἶπεν· Ἐγὼ οἶδα· ὅτι τὸν ἀναχωρητὴν ἐσυκοφάντησα, καὶ ψευσαμένη ᾐτιασάμην· καὶ οὗτος οὐκ ἔχει πρᾶγμα, ἀλλ᾽ ὁ δεῖνα ὁ νεώτερος. Καὶ ἐλθὼν ὁ διακονῶν μοι χαίρων ἔλεγεν, ὅτι οὐκ ἠδυνήθη τεκεῖν ἡ παρθένος ἐκείνη, ἕως οὗ ὡμολόγησε, λέγουσα, ὅτι Οὐκ ἔχει πρᾶγμα ὁ ἀναχωρητής, ἀλλ' ἐψευσάμην κατ' αὐτοῦ καὶ ἰδοὺ πᾶσα ἡ κώμη θέλει ἐλθεῖν ὧδε μετὰ δόξης, καὶ μετανοῆσαί σοι. Ἐγὼ δὲ ἀκούσας ταῦτα, ἵνα μὴ θλίψωσί με οἱ ἄνθρωποι, ἀνέστην καὶ ἔφυγον ὧδε εἰς Σκῆτιν. Αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ ἀρχὴ τῆς αἰτίας, δι᾽ ἣν ἦλθον ὧδε. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Macarius told about himself, saying, “When I was young and living in a cell in Egypt, they seized me and made me a cleric in the village. And not wanting to accept, I fled to another place. And a devout layman came to me and took my handiwork and served me. It happened that through temptation a virgin in the village fell. And having conceived, she was asked who had done this. She said, ‘The anchorite.’ And they came out and seized me and took me to the village, and hung around my neck sooty pots and handles of jars, and paraded me through the village street by street, beating me and saying, ‘This monk has defiled our virgin; take him, take him.’ And they beat me almost to death. One of the old men came and said, ‘How long will you beat the stranger monk?’ The one who served me followed behind me, ashamed. For they insulted him greatly, saying, ‘Look at the anchorite you vouched for; what has he done?’ And her parents say, ‘We will not let him go until he gives a guarantor that he will feed her.’ And I spoke to my servant, and he stood surety for me. And going to my cell, I gave him all the baskets I had, saying, ‘Sell them, and give my wife something to eat.’ And I said to my thought, ‘Macarius, look, you have found yourself a wife; you must work a little more to feed her.’ And I worked night and day and sent it to her. And when the time came for the wretched woman to give birth, she remained in torment many days, and could not give birth. And they say to her, ‘What is this?’ She said, ‘I know: because I slandered the anchorite and accused him falsely; he had nothing to do with it, but such-and-such a young man.’ And the one who served me came rejoicing and said, ‘That virgin could not give birth until she confessed, saying, “The anchorite had nothing to do with it, but I lied against him.” And look, the whole village wants to come here in procession and make a prostration of repentance to you.’ When I heard this, so that people would not trouble me, I got up and fled here to Scetis. This is the beginning of the reason why I came here.” ### Translation notes - Variant notes and a stray line from Migne’s notes are removed. The story is told as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.1 (PG 65:257–259; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-1). ## Macarius the Egyptian 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-69-2 - Source: PG 65:259–261 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius tells of two naked hermits in the desert, saying he is no monk but has seen monks. ### Greek text Ἦλθέ ποτε Μακάριος ὁ Αἰγύπτιος ἀπὸ Σκήτεως εἰς τὸ ὄρος τῆς Νιτρίας εἰς τὴν προσφορὰν τοῦ ἀββᾶ Παμβώ· καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ οἱ γέροντες· Εἰπὲ ῥῆμα τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς, Πάτερ. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ἐγὼ οὔπω γέγονα μοναχός, ἀλλ' εἶδον μοναχούς. Καθημένῳ γάρ μοί ποτε ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ εἰς Σκῆτιν, ὤχλησάν μοι οἱ λογισμοὶ λέγοντες· Ἄπελθε εἰς τὴν ἔρημον, καὶ ἴδε τί βλέπεις ἐκεῖ. Ἔμεινα δὲ πολεμῶν τῷ λογισμῷ πέντε ἔτη, λέγων, Μήπως ἀπὸ δαιμόνων ἐστίν. Καὶ ὡς ἐπέμενεν ὁ λογισμὸς, ἀπῆλθον εἰς τὴν ἔρημον· καὶ ηὗρον ἐκεῖ λίμνην ὑδάτων, καὶ νῆσον ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῆς· καὶ ἦλθον τὰ κτήνη τῆς ἐρήμου πιεῖν ἐξ αὐτῆς. Καὶ εἶδον ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν δύο ἀνθρώπους γυμνούς· καὶ ἐδειλίασε τὸ σῶμά μου· ἐνόμισα γὰρ ὅτι πνεύματά εἰσιν. Αὐτοὶ δὲ με ὡς εἶδον δειλιῶντα, ἐλάλησαν πρὸς μέ· Μὴ φοβοῦ· καὶ ἡμεῖς ἄνθρωποί ἐσμεν. Καὶ εἰπον αὐτοῖς· Πόθεν ἐστὲ, καὶ πῶς ἤλθετε εἰς τὴν ἔρημον ταύτην; Καὶ εἶπον· Ἀπὸ κοινοβίου ἐσμέν· καὶ γέγονεν ἡμῖν συμφωνία, καὶ ἐξήλθομεν ὧδε· ἰδοὺ τεσσαράκοντα ἔτη καὶ ὁ μὲν εἶς Αἰγύπτιος, ὁ δὲ ἕτερος Λιβυκὸς ὑπάρχει. Καὶ ἐπερώτησάν με καὶ αὐτοὶ, λέγοντες· Πῶς ὁ κόσμος; καὶ εἰ ἔρχεται τὸ ὕδωρ κατὰ καιρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἰ ἔχει ὁ κόσμος τὴν εὐθηνίαν αὐτοῦ; Καὶ εἶπον αὐτοῖς· Ναί. Κἀγὼ αὐτοὺς ἠρώτησα· Πῶς δύναμαι γενέσθαι μοναχός; Καὶ λέγουσί μοι· Ἐὰν μὴ ἀποτάξηταί τις πᾶσι τοῖς τοῦ κόσμου, οὐ δύναται γενέσθαι μοναχός. Καὶ εἶπον αὐτοῖς· Ἐγὼ ἀσθενής εἰμι, καὶ οὐ δύναμαι ὡς ὑμεῖς. Καὶ εἶπόν μοι καὶ αὐτοί· Καὶ ἐὰν οὐ δύνασαι ὡς ἡμεῖς, κάθου εἰς τὸ κελλίον σου, καὶ κλαῦσον τὰς ἁμαρτίας σου. Καὶ ἠρώτησα αὐτούς· Ὅταν γίνηται χειμῶν, οὐ ῥιγᾶτε; καὶ ὅταν γίνηται καῦμα, οὐ καίεται τὰ σώματα ὑμῶν; Οἱ δὲ εἶπον· Ὁ Θεὸς ἐποίησεν ἡμῖν τὴν οἰκονομίαν ταύτην· καὶ οὔτε τῷ χειμῶνι ῥιγῶμεν, οὔτε τῷ θέρει τὸ καῦμα ἡμᾶς ἀδικεῖ. Διὰ τοῦτο εἶπον ὑμῖν, ὅτι οὔπω γέγονα μοναχὸς, ἀλλ᾽ εἶδον μοναχούς. Συγχωρήσατέ μοι, ἀδελφοί. ### English translation (Claude) Once Macarius the Egyptian came from Scetis to the mountain of Nitria for the offering of abba Pambo; and the old men say to him, “Say a word to the brothers, father.” He said, “I have not yet become a monk, but I have seen monks. For once when I was sitting in my cell at Scetis, my thoughts troubled me, saying, ‘Go into the desert and see what you see there.’ I remained fighting the thought for five years, saying, ‘Perhaps it is from demons.’ And as the thought persisted, I went into the desert; and I found there a pool of water and an island in the middle of it; and the animals of the desert came to drink from it. And I saw in the middle of them two naked men; and my body was afraid, for I thought they were spirits. When they saw me afraid, they spoke to me: ‘Do not be afraid; we too are men.’ And I said to them, ‘Where are you from, and how did you come into this desert?’ And they said, ‘We are from a community; and we made an agreement, and came out here; look, it is forty years. One of us is an Egyptian, the other a Libyan.’ And they too questioned me, saying, ‘How is the world? Does the water come in its season, and does the world have its plenty?’ And I said to them, ‘Yes.’ And I asked them, ‘How can I become a monk?’ And they say to me, ‘Unless one renounces everything of the world, he cannot become a monk.’ And I said to them, ‘I am weak, and cannot do as you do.’ And they said to me, ‘If you cannot do as we do, sit in your cell and weep for your sins.’ And I asked them, ‘When winter comes, are you not cold? And when it is hot, are your bodies not burned?’ They said, ‘God has made this provision for us; and we are neither cold in winter nor harmed by the heat in summer.’ That is why I told you that I have not yet become a monk, but I have seen monks. Forgive me, brothers.” ### Translation notes - “The offering” is the Eucharist (or a commemoration) at Pambo’s cell. “The water” is the Nile flood. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.2 (PG 65:259–261; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-2). ## Macarius the Egyptian 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/61-1/#p-69-3 - Source: PG 65:261–263 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius learns from Satan which monk yields to temptation, and by confessing his own struggles he helps the monk resist. ### Greek text Ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος ὅτε ᾤκει ἐν τῇ πανερήμῳ· ἦν δὲ μόνος ἐν αὐτῇ ἀναχωρῶν, παρακάτω δὲ ἄλλη ἔρημος ἦν πλειόνων ἀδελφῶν. Παρετήρει δὲ ὁ γέρων τὴν ὁδόν· καὶ ὁρᾷ τὸν σατανᾶν ἀνερχόμενον ἐν σχήματι ἀνθρώπου, παρελθεῖν δι' αὐτοῦ· ἐφαίνετο δὲ ὡς στιχάριον φορῶν λινοῦν τρωγλωτόν· καὶ κατὰ τρυμαλίαν ἐκρέματο ληκύνθιον. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων ὁ μέγας· Ποῦ πορεύῃ; Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἀπέρχομαι ὑπομνῆσαι τοὺς ἀδελφούς Ὁ δὲ γέρων εἶπε· Καὶ ἵνα τί σοι τὰ ληκύνθια ταῦτα; Καὶ εἶπε· Γεύματα ἀποφέρω τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς. Ὁ δὲ γέρων εἶπε· Καὶ ταῦτα ὅλα; Ἀπεκρίθη· Ναί· ἐὰν μὴ τὸ ἓν ἀρέσῃ τινὶ, φέρω ἄλλο· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ καὶ τοῦτο, διδῶ ἄλλο· πάντως δὲ ἐξ αὐτῶν κἂν ἐν ἀρέσει αὐτῷ. Καὶ ταῦτα εἰπὼν ἀπῆλθεν. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἔμεινε παρατηρούμενος τὰς ὁδοὺς, ἕως πάλιν ἐκεῖνος ἐπανῆλθε. Καὶ ὡς εἶδεν αὐτὸν ὁ γέρων, λέγει αὐτῷ· Σωθείης. Ὁ δὲ ἀπεκρίθη· Ποῦ ἔνι μοι σωθῆναι; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Διατί; Ὁ δὲ λέγει· Ὅτι πάντες ἄγριοί μοι ἐγένοντο καὶ οὐδείς μου ἀνέχεται Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Οὐδένα οὖν φίλον ἔχεις ἐκεῖ; Ὁ δὲ ἀπεκρίθη· Ναὶ, ἕνα μοναχὸν ἔχω ἐκεῖ φίλον καὶ κἂν αὐτὸς μοι πείθεται· καὶ ὅτε ὁρᾷ με, στρέφεται ὡς ἀνέμη. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Καὶ τίς καλεῖται ὁ ἀδελφός; Ὁ δὲ λέγει· Θεόπεμπτος. Εἰπὼν δὲ ταῦτα ἀπῆλθε. Καὶ ἀναστὰς ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος ἀπέρχεται ἐπὶ τὴν παρακάτω ἔρημον. Καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ ἀδελφοὶ, λαβόντες βαΐα ἐξἦλθον εἰς ἀπάντησιν αὐτοῦ Καὶ λοιπὸν ἕκαστος ηὐτρεπίζετο, νομίζων ὅτι παρ' αὐτῷ ἔμελλε καταλύειν ὁ γέρων. Ὁ δὲ ἐζήτει τίς εἴη ὁ καλούμενος Θεόπεμπτος ἐν τῷ ὄρει. Καὶ εὑρὼν, εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ. Ὁ δὲ Θεόπεμπτος ὑπεδέξατο αὐτὸν χαίρων. Ὡς δὲ ἤρξατο ἰδιάζειν αὐτὸν, ὁ γέρων λέγει· Πῶς τὰ κατὰ σὲ, ἀδελφέ; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Εὐχαῖς σου, καλῶς. Εἶπε δὲ ὁ γέρων· Μὴ πολεμοῦσί σε οἱ λογισμοί; Ὁ δὲ εἶπε· Τέως καλῶς εἰμι· ἡδεῖτο γὰρ εἰπεῖν. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἰδοὺ πόσα ἔτη ἀσκῶ, καὶ τιμῶμαι παρὰ πάντων, καὶ ἐμοὶ τῷ γέροντι ὀχλεῖ τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς πορνείας. Απεκρίθη λέγων καὶ ὁ Θεόπεμπτος· Πίστευε, ἀββᾶ, καὶ ἐμοί. Ὁ δὲ γέρων προεφασίζετο καὶ ἑτέρους λογισμοὺς πολεμεῖν αὐτῷ, ἕως ποιήσει αὐτὸν ὁμολογῆσαι. Εἶτα λέγει αὐτῷ· Πῶς νηστεύεις; Ὁ δὲ λέγει αὐτῷ· Τὴν ἐνάτην. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Νήστευε ἕως ὀψὲ, καὶ ἄσκει· καὶ ἀποστήθιζε τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου καὶ τῶν ἄλλων Γραφῶν· καὶ ἐὰν σοι ἀναβῇ λογισμὸς, μηδέποτε πρόσχῃς κάτω, ἀλλὰ πάντοτε ἄνω· καὶ εὐθέως σοι ὁ Κύριος βοηθεῖ. Καὶ τυπώσας ὁ γέρων τὸν ἀδελφὸν ἐξῆλθεν εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν ἔρημον. Καὶ παρατηρῶν πάλιν ὁρᾷ ἐκεῖνον τὸν δαίμονα, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ποῦ πάλιν ἀπέρχῃ; Ὁ δὲ λέγει· Ὑπομνῆσαι τοὺς ἀδελφούς. Καὶ ἀπῆλθεν. Ὡς δὲ πάλιν ἐπανἤλθε, λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἅγιος· Πῶς οἱ ἀδελφοί; Ὁ δὲ λέγει· Κακῶς. Ὁ δὲ γέρων λέγει· Διατί; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· "Αγριοί εἰσιν ὅλοι· καὶ τὸ μεῖζον κακὸν, ὅτι καὶ ἂν εἶχον φίλον ὑπακούοντά μοι, καὶ αὐτὸς οὐκ οἶδα πόθεν διεστράφη, καὶ οὐδὲ αὐτός μοι πείθεται, ἀλλὰ πάντων ἀγριώτερος ἐγένετο· καὶ ὤμοσα μηκέτι τὰ ἐκεῖ πατῆσαι, εἰ μὴ μετὰ χρόνον. Καὶ οὕτως εἰπὼν ἀπῆλθεν, ἐάσας τὸν γέροντα. Καὶ ὁ ἅγιος εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) When abba Macarius lived in the farthest desert, he was the only anchorite in it, but lower down there was another desert with many brothers. The old man was watching the road; and he sees Satan coming up in the form of a man, to pass by him; he appeared to be wearing a linen tunic full of holes, and from each hole hung a little flask. And the great old man says to him, “Where are you going?” And he said to him, “I am going to stir up the brothers.” And the old man said, “And what are these flasks for?” And he said, “I am taking tastes to the brothers.” And the old man said, “All of these?” He answered, “Yes; if one does not please someone, I offer another; and if that does not either, I give another; and surely one of them will please him.” And saying this he went away. The old man remained watching the roads until he came back again. And when the old man saw him, he says to him, “Greetings.” He answered, “How can I have greetings?” The old man says to him, “Why?” And he says, “Because they have all become savage to me, and no one puts up with me.” The old man says to him, “So you have no friend there?” He answered, “Yes, I have one monk there as a friend, and at least he obeys me; and when he sees me, he spins like a weathervane.” The old man says to him, “And what is the brother called?” He says, “Theopemptus.” Having said this, he went away. And abba Macarius got up and went to the lower desert. When the brothers heard, they took palm branches and went out to meet him. And each one made ready, thinking that the old man would stay with him. But he asked who on the mountain was called Theopemptus. And finding him, he went into his cell. And Theopemptus received him with joy. When he began to speak with him privately, the old man says, “How are things with you, brother?” He said, “By your prayers, well.” And the old man said, “Do the thoughts not fight against you?” He said, “So far I am well”; for he was ashamed to say. The old man says to him, “Look how many years I have practiced asceticism and am honored by all, and the spirit of sexual immorality troubles even me, an old man.” Theopemptus answered, saying, “Believe me, abba, me too.” And the old man made the pretext that other thoughts also fought against him, until he made him confess. Then he says to him, “How do you fast?” He says to him, “Until the ninth hour.” The old man says to him, “Fast until evening and practice asceticism; and learn by heart passages of the Gospel and the other Scriptures; and if a thought rises in you, never look down, but always up; and at once the Lord will help you.” And having given the brother this rule, the old man went out to his own desert. And watching again he sees that demon, and says to him, “Where are you going again?” He says, “To stir up the brothers.” And he went away. When he came back again, the saint says to him, “How are the brothers?” He says, “Badly.” The old man says, “Why?” He said, “They are all savage; and the greater evil is that even the one friend I had who obeyed me has been turned, I do not know how, and he does not obey me either, but has become the most savage of all; and I have sworn not to set foot there again, except after a long time.” And saying this he went away, leaving the old man. And the saint went into his cell. ### Translation notes - The scan has displaced several pieces of this saying and of the next: the words “his cell. And Theopemptus received him with joy” are put back in their place, variant notes are removed, and a passage of saying 4 (the visit to Antony), printed here at the end, is moved to 69.4. Macarius’s claim to share Theopemptus’s temptation is a pretext to draw out his confession, as the saying says. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.3 (PG 65:261–263; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-3). ## Macarius the Egyptian 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-4 - Source: PG 65:263 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Antony, after testing Macarius’s patience at the door, marvels at the rope he plaited through the night. ### Greek text Παρέβαλεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος ὁ μέγας τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀντωνίῳ, εἰς τὸ ὄρος· καὶ κρούσαντος αὐτοῦ τὴν θύραν, ἐξῆλθε πρὸς αὐτὸν, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Σὺ τίς εἶ; ὁ δὲ ἔφη· Ἐγώ εἰμι Μακάριος. Καὶ κλείσας τὴν θύραν εἰσῆλθε καὶ ἀφῆκεν αὐτόν. Καὶ ἰδὼν τὴν ὑπομονὴν αὐτοῦ, ἤνοιξεν αὐτῷ, καὶ χαριεντιζόμενος μετ' αὐτοῦ, ἔλεγεν· Ἀπὸ πολλοῦ χρόνου ἐπεθύμουν σε ἰδεῖν, ἀκούων τὰ περὶ σοῦ. Καὶ φιλοξενήσας αὐτὸν ἀνέπαυσεν· ἦν γὰρ ἀπὸ καμάτου πολλοῦ. Ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης, ἔβρεξεν ἑαυτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος θαλλία. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος· Κέλευσον ἵνα κἀγὼ βρέξω ἐμαυτῷ. Ὁ δὲ εἶπε· Βρέξον. Καὶ ποιήσας δεσμὸν μέγαν, ἔβρεξε. Καὶ καθήμενοι ἀπὸ ὀψὲ, λαλοῦντες περὶ σωτηρίας ψυχῶν ἔπλεκον· καὶ ἡ σειρὰ διὰ τῆς θυρίδος εἰς τὸ σπήλαιον κατέβαινε. Καὶ εἰσελθὼν πρωί ὁ μακάριος Αντώνιος εἶδε τὸ πλῆθος τῆς σειρᾶς τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μακαρίου, καὶ ἔλεγε· Πολλὴ δύναμις ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν τούτων ἐξέρχεται. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Macarius the Great visited abba Antony on the mountain; and when he knocked at the door, Antony came out to him and said to him, “Who are you?” He said, “I am Macarius.” And shutting the door, he went in and left him. And seeing his patience, he opened to him, and joking with him he said, “For a long time I have wanted to see you, hearing about you.” And showing him hospitality he gave him rest, for he was very tired. When evening came, abba Antony soaked palm leaves for himself. And abba Macarius says to him, “Bid me soak some for myself too.” He said, “Soak them.” And making a large bundle, he soaked it. And sitting from evening, talking about the salvation of souls, they plaited; and the rope went down through the window into the cave. And blessed Antony, coming in in the morning, saw the quantity of abba Macarius’s rope and said, “Great power comes out of these hands.” ### Translation notes - The middle of this saying (from “on the mountain” to “And coming in”) stands in the scan at the end of 69.3 and is restored here. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.4 (PG 65:263; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4). ## Macarius the Egyptian 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-5 - Source: PG 65:263 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius foretells the ruin of Scetis by the signs of buildings, trees, and children. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος περὶ τῆς ἐρημώσεως τῆς Σκήτεως τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς· Ὅταν ἴδητε κελλίον οἰκοδομούμενον ἐγγὺς τοῦ ἕλους, μάθετε ὅτι ἐγγὺς ἐστιν ἡ ἐρήμωσις αὐτῆς· ὅταν ἴδητε δένδρα, ἐπὶ θυρῶν ἐστιν· ὅταν δὲ ἴδητε παιδία, ἄρατε τὰ μηλωτάρια ὑμῶν, καὶ ἀναχωρήσατε. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Macarius said to the brothers about the desolation of Scetis, “When you see a cell being built near the marsh, know that its desolation is near; when you see trees, it is at the doors; and when you see children, take up your sheepskins and withdraw.” ### Scripture references - Matt 24:33: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.5 (PG 65:263; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-5). ## Macarius the Egyptian 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-6 - Source: PG 65:263–265 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius marvels at a demon’s eagerness to drive a possessed boy and his mother away from Scetis. ### Greek text Ἔλεγε πάλιν, παρηγορῆσαι θέλων τοὺς ἀδελφούς· Ἦλθεν ὧδε παιδίον δαιμονιζόμενον μετὰ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔλεγε τῇ μητρὶ αὐτοῦ· Ἔγειρε, γραῖα ἄγωμεν ἔνθεν. Ἡ δὲ εἶπεν· Οὐ δύναμαι πεζεῦσαι. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ τὸ παιδίον· Ἐγώ σε βαστάζω. Καὶ ἐθαύμασα τὴν πονηρίαν τοῦ δαίμονος, πῶς ἠθέλησεν αὐτοὺς φυγαδεῦσαι. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, wanting to comfort the brothers, “A child possessed by a demon came here with his mother, and he said to his mother, ‘Get up, old woman, let us go from here.’ She said, ‘I cannot walk.’ And the child said to her, ‘I will carry you.’ And I marveled at the wickedness of the demon, how he wanted to make them flee.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.6 (PG 65:263–265; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-6). ## Macarius the Egyptian 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-7 - Source: PG 65:265–267 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius makes a dead man reveal where he hid a deposit, saving a widow’s children; then (saying 8) he fetches a cake from Alexandria for a sick hermit. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης· Ὅτε ἤμην εἰς Σκῆτιν μετὰ τοῦ Μακαρίου, ἀνέβημεν θερίσαι μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἑπτὰ ὀνόματα καὶ ἰδοὺ μία χήρα καλαμωμένη ἦν ὀπίσω ἡμῶν, καὶ οὐκ ἐπαύετο κλαίουσα. Ἐφώνησεν οὖν ὁ γέρων τὸν κύριον τοῦ χωρίου, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Τί ἔχει ἡ γραῦς αὕτη, ὅτι πάντοτε κλαίει; Λέγει αὐτῷ· Ὅτι ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς εἶχε παραθήκην τινὸς, καὶ ἀπέθανεν ἄφνω, καὶ οὐκ εἶπε ποῦ ἔθηκεν αὐτήν· καὶ θέλει ὁ κύριος τῆς παραθήκης λαβεῖν αὐτὴν καὶ τὰ τέκνα αὐτῆς εἰς δούλους. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Εἰπὲ αὐτῇ ἵνα ἔλθῃ πρὸς ἡμᾶς, ὅπου ἀναπαυόμεθα τὸ καῦμα. Καὶ ἐλθούσης τῆς γυναικὸς, εἶπεν αὐτῇ ὁ γέρων· Τί πάντα οὕτως κλαίεις; Καὶ εἶπεν· Ὁ ἀνήρ μου ἀπέθανε λαβὼν παραθήκην τινὸς, καὶ οὐκ εἶπεν ἀποθνήσκων ποῦ ἔθηκεν αὐτήν. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων πρὸς αὐτήν· Δεῦρο, δεῖξόν μοι ποῦ ἔθηκας αὐτόν. Καὶ λαβὼν τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς μεθ' ἑαυτοῦ, ἐξῆλθε σὺν αὐτῇ. Καὶ ἐλθόντων ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον, εἶπεν αὐτῇ ὁ γέρων· Ἀναχώρησον εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου. Καὶ προσευξαμένων αὐτῶν, ἐφώνησεν ὁ γέρων τὸν νεκρὸν, λέγων· Ὁ δεῖνα ποῦ ἔθηκας τὴν ἀλλοτρίαν παραθήκην; Ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· Εἰς τὸν οἶκόν μου κέκρυπται, ὑπὸ τὸν πόδα τῆς κλίνης. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Κοιμῶ πάλιν ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας τῆς ἀναστάσεως. Ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ, ἀπὸ τοῦ φόβου ἔπεσον εἰς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Οὐ δι' ἐμὲ γέγονε τοῦτο· οὐδὲν γάρ εἰμι· ἀλλὰ διὰ τὴν χήραν καὶ τὰ ὀρφανὰ ὁ Θεὸς ἐποίησε τὸ πρᾶγμα· τοῦτο δὲ ἐστι τὸ μέγα, ὅτι ἀναμάρτητον θέλει ὁ Θεὸς τὴν ψυχήν· καὶ εἴ τι ἂν αἰτήσηται λαμβάνει. Ἐλθὼν δὲ, ἀνήγγειλε τῇ χήρᾳ ποῦ κεῖται ἡ παραθήκη. Ἡ δὲ λαβοῦσα αὐτὴν, ἔδωκε τῷ κυρίῳ αὐτῆς, καὶ ἠλευθέρωσε τὰ τέκνα αὐτῆς. Καὶ πάντες οἱ ἀκούσαντες ἐδόξασαν τὸν Θεόν. π'. Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Πέτρος περὶ τοῦ ἁγίου Μακαρίου, ὅτι παραγενόμενός ποτε πρός τινα ἀναχωρητὴν, καὶ εὑρὼν αὐτὸν κακούμενον, ἐπυνθάνετο τί βούλοιτο τραφῆναι, οὐδενὸς ὄντος ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ αὐτοῦ. Καὶ φήσαντος ἐκείνου, Πάστιλον, εἰς τὴν Ἀλεξανδρέων πόλιν οὐκ ἄκνησεν ὁ ἀνδρεῖος παραγενέσθαι, καὶ δοῦναι τῷ κάμνοντι· καὶ τὸ θαυμαστὸν μηδενί κατάδηλον γενόμενον. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Sisoes said, “When I was at Scetis with Macarius, we went up to reap with him, seven of us; and look, a widow was gleaning behind us, and she did not stop weeping. So the old man called the owner of the field and said to him, ‘What is wrong with this old woman, that she is always weeping?’ He says to him, ‘Her husband had someone’s deposit and died suddenly, and he did not say where he put it; and the owner of the deposit wants to take her and her children as slaves.’ The old man says to him, ‘Tell her to come to us where we rest in the heat.’ And when the woman came, the old man said to her, ‘Why do you weep like this all the time?’ And she said, ‘My husband died having received someone’s deposit, and at his death he did not say where he put it.’ And the old man said to her, ‘Come, show me where you buried him.’ And taking the brothers with him, he went out with her. When they came to the place, the old man said to her, ‘Go back to your house.’ And when they had prayed, the old man called to the dead man, saying, ‘So-and-so, where did you put the other man’s deposit?’ And he answered, ‘It is hidden in my house, under the foot of the bed.’ And the old man says to him, ‘Sleep again until the day of resurrection.’ Seeing this, the brothers fell at his feet from fear. And the old man said to them, ‘This did not happen because of me, for I am nothing; but God did the thing because of the widow and the orphans; and this is the great thing: that God wants the soul sinless, and whatever it asks it receives.’ And he went and told the widow where the deposit lay. She took it and gave it to its owner, and freed her children. And all who heard it glorified God.” [8] Abba Peter said of holy Macarius that once, coming to an anchorite and finding him ill, he asked what he would like to eat, since there was nothing in his cell. And when he said, “A cake,” the brave man did not hesitate to go to the city of Alexandria and give it to the sick man; and, what is marvelous, it became known to no one. ### Scripture references - Jas 1:27: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The scan runs Macarius 8 (its numeral misread) into this saying, interleaved with stray lines from another saying and variant notes; these are removed, and saying 8 is marked [8]. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.7 (PG 65:265–267; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-7). ## Macarius the Egyptian 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-9 - Source: PG 65:267 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius defends his guileless simplicity as a gift won by twelve years of service. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι ἐν ἀκακίᾳ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μακαρίου πολιτευομένου πρὸς πάντας τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς, ἔφησαν αὐτῷ τινες· Διατί οὕτως ἑαυτὸν ποιεῖς; Ὁ δὲ εἶπε· Δώδεκα ἔτη ἐδούλευσα τῷ Κυρίῳ μου, ἵνα μοι χαρίσηται τὸ χάρισμα τοῦτο, καὶ πάντες μοι συμβουλεύετε ἀποθέσθαι αὐτό; ### English translation (Claude) He also said that when abba Macarius conducted himself in innocence toward all the brothers, some said to him, “Why do you make yourself like this?” And he said, “For twelve years I served my Lord so that he would grant me this gift; and do you all advise me to put it away?” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.9 (PG 65:267; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-9). ## Macarius the Egyptian 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-10 - Source: PG 65:267 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius paid for each cup of wine taken in company by a day without water. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μακαρίου, ὅτι εἰ εὐκαίρησε μετὰ ἀδελφῶν, ἐτίθει ἑαυτῷ ὅρον, ὅτι Ἐὰν εὑρεθῇ οἶνος, διὰ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς πίνε, καὶ ἀντὶ ἑνὸς ποτηρίου οἴνου, μίαν ἡμέραν μὴ πίῃς ὕδωρ. Οἱ οὖν ἀδελφοὶ, χάριν ἀναπαύσεως ἐδίδουν αὐτῷ. Ὁ δὲ γέρων μετὰ χαρᾶς ἐλάμβανεν, ἵνα ἑαυτὸν βασανίσῃ. Ὁ δὲ μαθητὴς εἰδὼς τὸ πρᾶγμα, ἔλεγε τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς· Διὰ τὸν Κύριον, μὴ δῶτε αὐτῷ· εἰ δὲ μή γε, εἰς τὸ κελλίον μέλλει ἑαυτὸν δαμάζειν. Καὶ μαθόντες οἱ ἀδελφοὶ, οὐκ ἔτι αὐτῷ παρεῖχον. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Macarius that if he happened to be with brothers, he set himself a rule: “If wine is found, drink for the brothers’ sake, and for each cup of wine, do not drink water for a day.” So the brothers, to give him refreshment, would offer it to him. And the old man accepted with joy, so as to torment himself. But his disciple, knowing the matter, said to the brothers, “For the Lord’s sake, do not give it to him; otherwise he will torment himself in his cell.” And when the brothers learned this, they no longer offered it to him. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.10 (PG 65:267; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-10). ## Macarius the Egyptian 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-11 - Source: PG 65:267 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The devil admits he matches Macarius in fasting and vigil but is defeated by his humility. ### Greek text Παρερχόμενός ποτε ἀπὸ τοῦ ἕλους εἰς τὸ κελλίον ἑαυτοῦ ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος, ἐβάσταζε θαλλία, καὶ ἰδοὺ ὑπήντησεν αὐτῷ ὁ διάβολος κατὰ τὴν ὁδὸν μετὰ δρεπάνου· καὶ ὡς ἠθέλησεν αὐτὸν κροῦσαι, οὐκ ἴσχυσε, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Πολλὴ βία ἀπὸ σοῦ, Μακάριε, ὅτι οὐ δύναμαι πρὸς σέ. Ἰδοὺ γὰρ εἴ τι ποιεῖς, κἀγὼ ποιῶ· σὺ νηστεύεις, κἀγώ ἀγρυπνεῖς, κἀγὼ ὅλως οὐ κοιμῶμαι· ἓν ἐστι μόνον ἐν ᾧ νικᾷς με. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος Ποῖον τοῦτο; Ὁ δὲ ἔφη Ἡ ταπείνωσίς σου· καὶ διὰ τοῦτο οὐ δύναμαι πρὸς σέ. ### English translation (Claude) Once as abba Macarius was going from the marsh to his cell, carrying palm leaves, look, the devil met him on the road with a sickle; and when he wanted to strike him, he could not, and he says to him, “There is great violence from you, Macarius, for I cannot prevail against you. For look, whatever you do, I do too: you fast, and so do I; you keep vigil, and I do not sleep at all. There is only one thing in which you overcome me.” Abba Macarius says to him, “What is that?” He said, “Your humility; and that is why I cannot prevail against you.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.11 (PG 65:267; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-11). ## Macarius the Egyptian 12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-12 - Source: PG 65:267 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius says the fear of God consumes the body as fire consumes a poker. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησάν τινες τῶν Πατέρων τὸν ἀββᾶν Μακάριον τὸν Αἰγύπτιον, λέγοντες· Πῶς ὅτε ἐσθίεις καὶ ὅτε νηστεύεις, τὸ σῶμά σου ξηρόν ἐστι; Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Τὸ ξύλον τὸ στρέφον τὰ καιόμενα φρύγανα, δι᾿ ὅλου ἐσθίεται ἐκ τοῦ πυρός. Οὕτως ἐὰν καθαρεύσῃ ἄνθρωπος τὸν νοῦν αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ φόβῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ, αὐτὸς ὁ φόβος τοῦ Θεοῦ κατεσθίει τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Some of the Fathers asked abba Macarius the Egyptian, saying, “How is it that whether you eat or fast, your body is dry?” And the old man says to them, “The stick that turns over the burning brushwood is entirely consumed by the fire. So if a man keeps his mind pure in the fear of God, the fear of God itself consumes his body.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.12 (PG 65:267; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-12). ## Macarius the Egyptian 13 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-13 - Source: PG 65:267–269 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sleeping on a pagan mummy in a temple, Macarius is unmoved by demons’ tricks and puts them to flight. ### Greek text Ἀνέβη ποτὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος ἀπὸ Σκήτεως εἰς Τερενοῦθεν· καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν κοιμηθήναι. Ήσαν δὲ ἐκεῖ σκηνώματα Ἑλλήνων παλαιά καὶ λαβὼν ἓν, ὑπέθηκε τῇ ἑαυτοῦ κεφαλῇ, ὡς ἐμβρίμιον. Οἱ οὖν δαίμονες, ὁρῶντες αὐτοῦ τὸ θαρσαλέον, ἐφθόνησαν καὶ θέλοντες αὐτὸν πτοῆσαι, ἐφώνουν ὡς γυναικὸς ὄνομα, λέγοντες· Ἡ δεῖνα, δεῦρο μεθ' ἡμῶν εἰς τὸ βαλανεῖον. Ὑπήκουσε δὲ ἄλλος δαίμων ὑποκάτωθεν αὐτοῦ ὡς ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν, λέγων· Ξένον ἔχω ἐπάνω μου, καὶ οὐ δύναμαι ἐλθεῖν. Ὁ δὲ γέρων οὐκ ἐπτοήθη· ἀλλὰ θαῤῥῶν ἔτυπτε τὸ σκήνωμα, λέγων· Ἔγειραι, ὕπαγε εἰς τὸ σκότος, εἰ δύνασαι. Καὶ τοῦτο ἀκούσαντες οἱ δαίμονες, ἐβόησαν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ, λέγοντες· Ἐνίκησας ἡμᾶς. Καὶ ἔφυγον καταισχυνόμενοι. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Macarius went up from Scetis to Terenuthis; and he went into the temple to sleep. There were old bodies of pagans there; and taking one, he put it under his head as a pillow. The demons, seeing his boldness, were envious; and wanting to frighten him, they called as if by a woman’s name, saying, “So-and-so, come with us to the bath.” And another demon answered from beneath him, as if from the dead, saying, “I have a stranger on top of me, and I cannot come.” But the old man was not frightened; but boldly he struck the body, saying, “Get up, go into the darkness, if you can.” Hearing this, the demons cried out with a loud voice, saying, “You have beaten us.” And they fled in shame. ### Translation notes - σκηνώματα are (mummified) bodies. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.13 (PG 65:267–269; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-13). ## Macarius the Egyptian 14 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-14 - Source: PG 65:269 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Exhausted, Macarius prays and finds himself carried to the river. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μακαρίου τοῦ Αἰγυπτίου ὅτι ἀναβαίνων ἀπὸ Σκήτεως, καὶ βαστάζων σπυρίδας, κοπιάσας ἐκαθέσθη· καὶ ηὔξατο λέγων· Ὁ Θεὸς, σὺ οἶδας ὅτι οὐκ ἰσχύω. Καὶ εὐθέως εὑρέθη ἐπὶ τὸν ποταμόν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Macarius the Egyptian that once, going up from Scetis and carrying baskets, he grew tired and sat down; and he prayed, saying, “O God, you know that I have no strength.” And at once he found himself at the river. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.14 (PG 65:269; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-14). ## Macarius the Egyptian 15 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-15 - Source: PG 65:269 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius heals a paralyzed boy left at his door by telling him to run after his father. ### Greek text Ἦν τις ἔχων υἱὸν παραλυτικὸν ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ· καὶ ἤνεγκεν αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ κελλίον τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μακαρίου· καὶ ἀφεὶς αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὴν θύραν κλαίοντα, ἀνεχώρησε μακράν. Παρακύψας οὖν ὁ γέρων, εἶδε τὸ παιδίον καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Τίς ἤνεγκέ σε ὧδε; Καὶ λέγει· Ὁ πατήρ μου ἔῤῥιψέ με ὧδε, καὶ ἀπῆλθε. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Αναστὰς κατάλαβε αὐτόν. Καὶ εὐθέως ὑγιάνας, ἀνέστη, καὶ κατέλαβε τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ· καὶ οὕτως ἀπῆλθον εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτῶν. ### English translation (Claude) There was a man in Egypt who had a paralyzed son; and he brought him to abba Macarius’s cell, and leaving him weeping at the door, he went off a long way. The old man, peeping out, saw the child and says to him, “Who brought you here?” And he says, “My father threw me down here and went away.” The old man says to him, “Get up and catch up with him.” And at once he was healed, got up, and caught up with his father; and so they went home. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.15 (PG 65:269; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-15). ## Macarius the Egyptian 16 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-16 - Source: PG 65:269 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius tells the monks to flee their own mouths. ### Greek text Ὁ̔ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος ὁ μέγας ἔλεγε τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς ἐν τῇ Σκήτει, ὡς ἀπέλυε τὴν ἐκκλησίαν· Φεύγετε, ἀδελφοί. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ τις τῶν γερόντων Ποῦ ἔχομεν φυγεῖν πλέον τῆς ἐρήμου ταύτης; Ὁ δὲ ἐτίθει τὸν δάκτυλον αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ στόμα, λέγων· Τοῦτο φεύγετε. Καὶ εἰσήρχετο εἰς τὸ κελλίον ἑαυτοῦ, καὶ ἔκλειε τὴν θύραν, καὶ ἐκάθητο. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Macarius the Great used to say to the brothers at Scetis, when he dismissed the church, “Flee, brothers.” And one of the old men said to him, “Where can we flee further than this desert?” And he put his finger on his mouth, saying, “Flee this.” And he would go into his cell, shut the door, and sit. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.16 (PG 65:269; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-16). ## Macarius the Egyptian 17 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-17 - Source: PG 65:269 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius warns against angry rebuke; then (saying 18) he helps a thief load his own goods, blessing God. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ αὐτὸς ἀββᾶς Μακάριος· Ἐάν τινι ἐπιτιμῶν, εἰς ὀργὴν κινηθῇς, ἴδιον πάθος πληροῖς. Οὐ γὰρ ἵνα ἄλλους σώσῃς, σεαυτὸν ἀπολέσεις. τηʹ. Ὁ αὐτὸς ἀββᾶς Μακάριος, ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ ὢν, εὗρεν ἄνθρωπον ἔχοντα κτῆνος καὶ συλοῦντα τὰς χρείας αὐτοῦ· καὶ αὐτὸς ὡς ξένος παραστὰς τῷ συλοῦντι, συνεγέμου τὸ κτῆνος, καὶ μετὰ πολλῆς ἡσυχίας προέπεμπεν αὐτὸν, λέγων, ὅτι Οὐδὲν εἰσηνέγκαμεν εἰς τὸν κόσμον δῆλον ὅτι οὐδὲ ἐξενεγκεῖν τι δυνάμεθα. Ὁ Κύριος ἔδωκεν· ὡς αὐτὸς ἠθέλησεν, οὕτως καὶ ἐγένετο. Εὐλογητὸς Κύριος ἐπὶ πᾶσιν. ### English translation (Claude) The same abba Macarius said, “If, in rebuking someone, you are moved to anger, you are fulfilling your own passion. For you must not lose yourself in order to save others.” [18] The same abba Macarius, when he was in Egypt, found a man who had an animal and was plundering his belongings; and he himself, as a stranger, stood by the robber and helped load the animal, and with great calm he saw him off, saying, “We brought nothing into the world; it is clear that we cannot take anything out either. The Lord gave; as he willed, so it has happened. Blessed be the Lord in all things.” ### Scripture references - 1 Tim 6:7: quotation, high confidence - Job 1:21: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - The scan runs Macarius 18 (τηʹ) into this saying; marked [18]. Quotations of 1 Tim 6:7 and Job 1:21, freely. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.17 (PG 65:269; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-17). ## Macarius the Egyptian 19 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-19 - Source: PG 65:269 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius teaches short prayer: “Lord, as you will, have mercy,” and in temptation, “Lord, help.” ### Greek text Ἠρώτησάν τινες τὸν ἀββᾶν Μακάριον, λέγοντες· Πῶς ὀφείλομεν προσεύχεσθαι; Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων Οὐκ ἔστι χρεία βαττολογεῖν, ἀλλ᾽ ἐκτείνειν τὰς χεῖρας, καὶ λέγειν· Κύριε, ὡς θέλεις καὶ ὡς οἶδας, ἐλέησον Ἐὰν δὲ ἐπίκειται πόλεμος· Κύριε, βοήθει Καὶ αὐτὸς οἶδε τὰ συμφέροντα, καὶ ποιεῖ μεθ' ἡμῶν ἔλεος. ### English translation (Claude) Some asked abba Macarius, saying, “How ought we to pray?” The old man says to them, “There is no need to babble, but to stretch out the hands and say, ‘Lord, as you will and as you know, have mercy.’ And if war presses, ‘Lord, help!’ He himself knows what is good for us, and shows us mercy.” ### Scripture references - Matt 6:7: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Cf. Matt 6:7–8. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.19 (PG 65:269; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-19). ## Macarius the Egyptian 20 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-20 - Source: PG 65:269 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: One indifferent to honor and wealth, believing rightly, will not fall into passion or delusion. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος Εἰ γέγονεν ἐν σοὶ ἡ ἐξουδένωσις ὡς ὁ ἔπαινος, καὶ ἡ πενία ὡς ὁ πλοῦτος, καὶ ἡ ἔνδεια ὡς ἡ δαψίλεια, οὐκ ἀποθνήσκεις. Αμήχανον γάρ ἐστι τὸν καλῶς πιστεύοντα, καὶ ἐν εὐσεβείᾳ ἐργαζόμενον, ἐμπεσεῖν εἰς ἀκαθαρσίαν παθῶν καὶ δαιμόνων πλάνην. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Macarius said, “If contempt has become for you like praise, and poverty like wealth, and want like abundance, you will not die. For it is impossible for one who believes rightly and works in godliness to fall into the uncleanness of the passions and the deception of demons.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.20 (PG 65:269; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-20). ## Macarius the Egyptian 21 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-21 - Source: PG 65:269–271 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius the Great rebukes Macarius the citizen for wrongly excommunicating two brothers, and gives him a penance. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον, ὅτι ἐσφάλησαν δύο ἀδελφοὶ Σκῆτιν· καὶ ἐχώρισεν αὐτοὺς ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος ὁ πολιτικός· καὶ ἦλθόν τινες, καὶ εἶπον τῷ ἀββᾷ Μακαρίῳ τῷ μεγάλῳ τῷ Αἰγυπτίῳ. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Οὐκ εἰσὶν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ κεχωρισμένοι, ἀλλὰ Μακάριός ἐστι κεχωρισμένος· ἦν γὰρ ἀγαπῶν αὐτόν. Ἤκουσεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος, ὅτι ἐχωρίσθη ὑπὸ τοῦ γέροντος, καὶ ἔφυγεν εἰς τὸ ἕλος. Ἐξῆλθεν οὖν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος ὁ μέγας, καὶ εὑρίσκει αὐτὸν τιτρωσκόμενον ὑπὸ τῶν κωνώπων, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Σὺ ἐχώρισας τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς, καὶ ἰδοὺ εἶχον ἀναχωρῆσαι εἰς τὴν κώμην. Ἐγὼ δὲ σε ἐχώρισα, καὶ σὺ ὡς καλὴ παρθένος εἰς τὸν ἐσώτερον κοιτῶνα ἔφυγες ὧδε. Ἐγὼ δὲ καλέσας τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς, ἔμαθον παρ' αὐτῶν, καὶ εἶπον· Οὐδὲν τούτων γέγονε. Βλέπε οὖν καὶ σὺ, ἀδελφὲ, μὴ ἀπὸ δαιμόνων ἐχλευάσθης (οὐδὲν γὰρ ἑώρακας), ἀλλὰ βάλε μετάνοιαν ὑπὲρ τοῦ σφάλματός σου. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Εἰ θέλεις, δός μοι μετάνοιαν. Ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ γέρων τὴν ταπείνωσιν αὐτοῦ, ἔλεγεν· Ὕπαγε, καὶ νήστευσον τρεῖς ἑβδομάδας, κατὰ ἑβδομάδα ἐσθίων. Αὕτη γὰρ ἦν ἡ ἐργασία αὐτοῦ πάντοτε, τὰς ἑβδομάδας νηστεύειν. ### English translation (Claude) They said that two brothers at Scetis fell into a fault; and abba Macarius the citizen excommunicated them; and some came and told abba Macarius the Great, the Egyptian. And he said, “It is not the brothers who are excommunicated, but Macarius who is excommunicated”; for he loved him. Abba Macarius heard that he had been excommunicated by the old man, and fled to the marsh. So abba Macarius the Great went out and finds him being bitten by the mosquitoes, and says to him, “You excommunicated the brothers, and look, they were going to withdraw to the village. But I have excommunicated you, and you have fled here like a fair virgin into the inner chamber. I called the brothers and learned from them, and they said, ‘None of these things happened.’ So you too, brother, see whether you have not been mocked by demons (for you saw nothing), but make repentance for your fault.” He said, “If you wish, give me a penance.” Seeing his humility, the old man said, “Go, fast for three weeks, eating once a week.” For this was always his own practice, to fast whole weeks. ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.21 (PG 65:269–271; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-21). ## Macarius the Egyptian 22 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-22 - Source: PG 65:271 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius sends the gentle-natured Moses to the inner desert to find stillness. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μωϋσῆς τῷ ἀββᾷ Μακαρίῳ εἰς Σκῆτιν· Θέλω ἡσυχάσαι, καὶ οὐκ ἀφιοῦσί με οἱ ἀδελφοί. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος Θεωρῶ ὅτι ἡ φύσις σου ἀπαλή ἐστι, καὶ οὐ δύνασαι ἀποστρέψαι ἀδελφόν· ἀλλ᾽ ἐὰν θέλῃς ἡσυχάσαι, ὕπαγε εἰς τὴν ἔρημον ἔσω εἰς τὴν Πέτραν, κἀκεῖ ἡσυχάζεις. Καὶ τοῦτο ἐποίησε, καὶ ἀνεπάη. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Moses said to abba Macarius at Scetis, “I want to live in stillness, and the brothers will not let me.” And abba Macarius says to him, “I see that your nature is gentle, and you cannot turn a brother away; but if you want to live in stillness, go into the inner desert, to Petra, and there you will have stillness.” And he did so, and was at rest. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.22 (PG 65:271; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-22). ## Macarius the Egyptian 23 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-23 - Source: PG 65:271 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius has a brother insult and then praise the dead, teaching him to be dead to both. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς παρέβαλε τῷ ἀββᾷ Μακαρίῳ τῷ Αἰγυπτίῳ, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, εἰπέ μοι ῥῆμα πῶς σωθῶ. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ὕπαγε εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ ὕβρισον τοὺς νεκρούς. Ἀπελθὼν οὖν ὁ ἀδελφὸς, ὕβρισε καὶ ἐλίθασε· καὶ ἐλθὼν ἀπήγγειλε τῷ γέροντι. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Οὐδέν σοι ἐλάλησαν; Ὁ δὲ ἔφη· Οὐχί. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ὕπαγε πάλιν αὔριον, καὶ δόξασον αὐτούς. Ἀπελθὼν οὖν ὁ ἀδελφὸς, ἐδόξασεν αὐτοὺς, λέγων· Ἀπόστολοι, ἅγιοι, καὶ δίκαιοι. Καὶ ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν γέροντα, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἐδόξασα. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Οὐδέν σοι ἀπεκρίθησαν; Ἔφη ὁ ἀδελφός· Οὐχί. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Οἶδας πόσα ἡτίμασας αὐτοὺς, καὶ οὐδέν σοι ἀπεκρίθησαν, καὶ πόσα ἐδόξασας αὐτοὺς, καὶ οὐδέν σοι ἐλάλησαν οὕτως καὶ σὺ, ἐὰν θέλῃς σωθῆναι, γενοῦ νεκρός μήτε τὴν ἀδικίαν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, μήτε τὴν δόξαν αὐτῶν λογίσῃ, ὡς οἱ νεκροί· καὶ δύνασαι σωθῆναι. ### English translation (Claude) A brother visited abba Macarius the Egyptian and says to him, “Abba, tell me a word: how may I be saved?” And the old man says, “Go to the tomb and insult the dead.” So the brother went, insulted them and threw stones at them; and he came and told the old man. And he says to him, “Did they say nothing to you?” He said, “No.” The old man says to him, “Go again tomorrow and praise them.” So the brother went and praised them, saying, “Apostles, saints, and righteous ones.” And he came to the old man and said to him, “I praised them.” And he says to him, “Did they answer you nothing?” The brother said, “No.” The old man says to him, “You know how much you dishonored them and they answered you nothing, and how much you praised them and they said nothing to you; so you too, if you want to be saved, become dead: take no account of men’s injustice or of their praise, like the dead; and you can be saved.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.23 (PG 65:271; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-23). ## Macarius the Egyptian 24 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-24 - Source: PG 65:271 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A child’s remark about a rich lover and a poor hater becomes for Macarius a picture of God and the devil. ### Greek text Παρερχόμενός ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος μετὰ ἀδελφῶν διὰ τῆς Αἰγύπτου, ἤκουσε παιδίου λέγοντος τῇ μητρὶ αὐτοῦ· Ἀμμᾶ, πλούσιός τις ἀγαπᾷ με, καὶ μισῶ αὐτόν· καὶ πτωχὸς μισεῖ με, καὶ ἀγαπῶ αὐτόν. Καὶ ἀκούσας ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος, ἐθαύμασε. Καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ οἱ ἀδελφοί· Τί ἐστι τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο, Πάτερ, ὅτι ἐθαύμασας; Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Ἀληθῶς ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν πλούσιός ἐστι καὶ ἀγαπᾷ ἡμᾶς, καὶ οὐ θέλομεν αὐτοῦ ἀκοῦσαι· ὁ δὲ ἐχθρὸς ἡμῶν διάβολος πτωχός ἐστι καὶ μισεῖ ἡμᾶς, καὶ ἀγαπῶμεν αὐτοῦ τὴν ἀκαθαρσίαν. ### English translation (Claude) Once as abba Macarius was passing through Egypt with some brothers, he heard a child saying to his mother, “Mother, a rich man loves me, and I hate him; and a poor man hates me, and I love him.” And hearing it, abba Macarius marveled. And the brothers say to him, “What is this saying, father, that you marveled at it?” And the old man says to them, “Truly our Lord is rich and loves us, and we do not want to listen to him; but our enemy the devil is poor and hates us, and we love his uncleanness.” ### Scripture references - 2 Cor 8:9: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.24 (PG 65:271; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-24). ## Macarius the Egyptian 25 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-25 - Source: PG 65:271 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius tells Poemen that what he seeks has now gone from the monks. ### Greek text Παρεκάλεσεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν αὐτὸν μετὰ πολλῶν δακρύων, λέγων· Εἰπέ μοι ῥῆμα πῶς σωθῶ. Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ γέρων εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Τὸ πρᾶγμα ὁ ζητεῖς, ἀπῆλθε νῦν ἀπὸ τῶν μοναχῶν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen begged him with many tears, saying, “Tell me a word: how may I be saved?” The old man answered him, “The thing you are seeking has now departed from the monks.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.25 (PG 65:271; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-25). ## Macarius the Egyptian 26 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-26 - Source: PG 65:273 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius says no more about Antony’s answer when the monks do not ask, to avoid idle speech. ### Greek text Παρέβαλέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀντωνίῳ καὶ λαλήσας αὐτῷ, ὑπέστρεψεν εἰς Σκῆτιν. Καὶ ἦλθον οἱ Πατέρες εἰς ἀπάντησιν αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ὡς ἐλάλουν, εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Ἔφην τῷ ἀββᾷ Αντωνίῳ, ὡς οὐκ ἔχομεν προσφορὰν ἐν τῷ τόπῳ ἡμῶν. Καὶ ἤρξαντο οἱ Πατέρες λαλεῖν περὶ ἄλλων, καὶ οὐκ ἠρώτησαν ἔτι μαθεῖν τὴν ἀπόκρισιν παρά τοῦ γέροντος, οὔτε ὁ γέρων αὐτοῖς εἶπε. Τοῦτο οὖν ἔλεγέ τις τῶν Πατέρων, ὅτι ἐὰν ἴδωσιν οἱ Πατέρες ὅτι λανθάνει τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς τῷ ἐρωτῆσαι περὶ πράγματος ὠφελοῦντος αὐτοὺς, ἀναγκάζουσιν ἑαυτοὺς εἰπεῖν ἀρχὴν τοῦ λόγου· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀναγκασθῶσι παρὰ τῶν ἀδελφῶν, οὐκ ἔτι λαλοῦσι τὸν λόγον· ἵνα μὴ εὑρεθῶσιν ὡς μὴ ἐπερωτώμενοι καὶ λαλοῦντες, καὶ ὡς ἀργολογία εὑρίσκηται. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Macarius visited abba Antony, and after speaking with him he returned to Scetis. And the Fathers came to meet him. As they talked, the old man said to them, “I told abba Antony that we have no offering in our place.” And the Fathers began to talk about other things, and did not ask further to learn the answer from the old man, nor did the old man tell them. One of the Fathers explained this: when the Fathers see that it escapes the brothers to ask about something that would benefit them, they force themselves to make a beginning of the word; but if they are not pressed by the brothers, they say no more, so that they may not be found speaking without being asked, and their talk be found idle. ### Translation notes - “Offering” here is the Eucharist (no priest or celebration at Scetis). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.26 (PG 65:273; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-26). ## Macarius the Egyptian 27 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-27 - Source: PG 65:273 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius explains fleeing men as staying in the cell and weeping for one’s sins. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἡσαΐας τὸν ἀββᾶν Μακάριον, λέγων· Εἰπέ μοι ῥῆμα. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Φεῦγε τοὺς ἀνθρώπους. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ησαΐας· Τί ἐστι τὸ φεύγειν τοὺς ἀνθρώπους; Ὁ δὲ γέρων εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Τὸ καθίσαι εἰς τὸ κελλίον σου, καὶ κλαῦσαι τὰς ἁμαρτίας σου. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Isaiah asked abba Macarius, saying, “Tell me a word.” And the old man says to him, “Flee from men.” Abba Isaiah says to him, “What is fleeing from men?” The old man said to him, “To sit in your cell and weep for your sins.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.27 (PG 65:273; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-27). ## Macarius the Egyptian 28 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-28 - Source: PG 65:273 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Harm no one and condemn no one. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Παφνούτιος ὁ μαθητὴς τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μακαρίου, ὅτι Παρεκάλεσα τὸν Πατέρα μου, λέγων· Εἰπέ μοι λόγον. Ὁ δὲ ἔφη· Μὴ κακοποιήσῃς τινὰ, μηδὲ κατακρίνῃς τινά. Ταῦτα τήρει, καὶ σώζῃ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Paphnutius, the disciple of abba Macarius, said, “I begged my father, saying, ‘Tell me a word.’ He said, ‘Do not harm anyone, and do not condemn anyone. Keep these things, and you will be saved.’” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.28 (PG 65:273; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-28). ## Macarius the Egyptian 29 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-29 - Source: PG 65:273 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Avoid sleeping in the cell of a brother of ill repute. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος· Μὴ κοιμηθῇς εἰς κελλίον ἀδελφοῦ ἔχοντος κακὴν φήμην. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Macarius said, “Do not sleep in the cell of a brother who has a bad reputation.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.29 (PG 65:273; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-29). ## Macarius the Egyptian 30 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-30 - Source: PG 65:273 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius tells brothers offering comfort that he knows the way to the village himself if he wants it. ### Greek text Παρέβαλόν ποτε τῷ ἀββᾷ Μακαρίῳ ἀδελφοὶ εἰς Σκῆτιν, καὶ οὐχ εὗρον ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ αὐτοῦ οὐδὲν, εἰ μὴ ὕδωρ σαπρόν. Καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, δεῦρο ἄνω εἰς τὴν κώμην, καὶ ἀναπαύομέν σε. Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Οἴδατε, ἀδελφοὶ, τὸ ἀρτοκοπεῖον τοῦ δεῖνος εἰς τὴν κώμην; Καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Ναί. Ἔφη αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Κἀγὼ οἶδα αὐτό. Οἴδατε καὶ τὸ χωρίον τοῦ δεῖνος ὅπου ὁ ποταμὸς κρούει; Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Ναί. Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Κἀγὼ οἶδα αὐτό. Ὅτε οὖν θέλω, οὐ χρείαν ὑμῶν ἔχω, ἀλλ᾿ ἐμαυτῷ ἀναβάζω ### English translation (Claude) Once brothers visited abba Macarius at Scetis, and they found nothing in his cell except stagnant water. And they say to him, “Abba, come up to the village, and we will give you rest.” The old man says to them, “Do you know, brothers, so-and-so’s bakery in the village?” And they say to him, “Yes.” The old man said to them, “I know it too. Do you also know so-and-so’s field where the river strikes?” They say to him, “Yes.” The old man says to them, “I know it too. So when I want to, I have no need of you, but I can take myself up.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.30 (PG 65:273; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-30). ## Macarius the Egyptian 31 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-31 - Source: PG 65:273 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius answered those who mocked his past but kept silent with those who revered him. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μακαρίου, ὅτι εἰ προσήρχετο αὐτῷ ἀδελφὸς, ὡς ἁγίῳ γέροντι καὶ μεγάλῳ μετὰ φόβου, οὐδὲν ἐλάλει αὐτῷ. Εἰ δὲ ἔλεγεν αὐτῷ τις τῶν ἀδελφῶν ὡς ἐξουθενῶν αὐτόν· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, ἆρα ὅταν ἧς καμηλίτης καὶ ἔκλεπτες νίτρον καὶ ἐπώλεις αὐτὸ, οὐκ ἔδερόν σε οἱ τηρηταί Εἰ ταῦτά τις ἔλεγεν αὐτῷ, ἐλάλει αὐτῷ μετὰ χαρᾶς, εἴ τι αὐτὸν ἠρώτα. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Macarius that if a brother approached him with fear, as a holy and great old man, he said nothing to him. But if one of the brothers said to him, as though despising him, “Abba, when you were a camel driver and stole natron and sold it, did the guards not beat you?”, if someone said such things to him, he would speak with him gladly about whatever he asked. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.31 (PG 65:273; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-31). ## Macarius the Egyptian 32 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-32 - Source: PG 65:273 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius covered others’ faults as God covers the world, like a god on earth. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μακαρίου τοῦ μεγάλου, ὅτι γέγονε καθώς ἐστι γεγραμμένον θεὸς ἐπίγειος, ὅτι ὥσπερ ἐστὶν ὁ Θεὸς σκεπάζων τὸν κόσμον, οὕτως γέγονεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος σκεπάζων τὰ ἐλαττώματα, ὁ ἔβλεπεν ὡς μὴ βλέπων, καὶ ὰ ἤκουεν ὡς μὴ ἀκούων. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Macarius the Great that he became, as it is written, a god upon earth; for just as God covers the world, so abba Macarius covered faults: what he saw he treated as not seeing, and what he heard as not hearing. ### Scripture references - 1 Pet 4:8: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The source of “as it is written, a god upon earth” is uncertain. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.32 (PG 65:273; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-32). ## Macarius the Egyptian 33 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-33 - Source: PG 65:273–277 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius discovers by vision the hidden holiness of two young foreign monks, whose cell he later shows as a martyr’s shrine. ### Greek text Διηγήσατο ὁ ἀββᾶς Βιτίμιος, ὅτι ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος· Καθημένου μού ποτε εἰς Σκῆτιν, κατέβησαν δύο νεώτεροι ξενικοὶ ἐκεῖ· καὶ ὁ μὲν εἶς εἶχε γένειον, ὁ δὲ ἄλλος ἀρχὴν βάλλων γενείου. Καὶ ἦλθον πρὸς μὲ λέγοντες· Ποῦ ἔστιν ἡ κέλλα τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μακαρίου Κἀγὼ εἶπον Τί θέλετε αὐτόν Καὶ λέγουσιν· Ἀκούοντες τὰ περὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ τῆς Σκήτεως, ἤλθομεν ἰδεῖν αὐτόν. Λέγω αὐτοῖς Ἐγώ εἰμι, Καὶ ἔβαλον μετάνοιαν, λέγοντες· Ὧδε θέλομεν μεῖναι. Ἐγὼ δὲ βλέπων αὐτοὺς τρυφεροὺς καὶ ὡς ἀπὸ πλούτου, λέγω αὐτοῖς Οὗ δύνασθε καθίσαι ὧδε. Καὶ λέγει ὁ μειζότερος· Ἐὰν μὴ δυνώμεθα καθίσαι ὧδε ὑπάγομεν ἀλλαχοῦ. Λέγω ἐγὼ τῷ λογισμῷ μου· Διατί διώκω αὐτοὺς, καὶ σκανδαλίζονται; ὁ κόπος ποιεῖ αὐτοὺς δι᾽ ἑαυτῶν φυγεῖν. Καὶ λέγω αὐτοῖς· Δεῦτε, ποιήσατε ἑαυτοῖς κελλίον, εἰ δύνασθε. Καὶ λέγουσι Δεῖξον ἡμῖν τόπον, καὶ ποιοῦμεν. Ἔδωκε δὲ αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων πέλεκυν καὶ ἀναβολίδιν μεστὸν ψωμίων, καὶ ἄλας· ἔδειξε δὲ αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων καὶ πέτραν σκληράν, λέγων· Λατομήσατε ὧδε, καὶ φέρετε αὐτοῖς ξύλα ἐκ τοῦ ἕλους, καὶ στεγάσαντες καθίσατε. Ἐνόμιζον δὲ ἐγὼ, φησὶν, ὅτι μέλλουσι διὰ τὸν κόπον ἀναχωρεῖν Ἠρώτησαν δέ με, τί ἐργάζωνται ὧδε. Λέγω αὐτοῖς· Τὴν σειράν καὶ λαμβάνω βαΐα ἐκ τοῦ ἕλους, καὶ δεικνύῳ αὐτοῖς τὴν ἀρχὴν τῆς σειρᾶς, καὶ πῶς ῥάπτειν δεῖ, καὶ εἶπον· Ποιεῖτε σπυρίδας, καὶ παρέχετε τοῖς φύλαξι καὶ φέρουσιν ὑμῖν ψωμία. Λοιπὸν οὖν ἐγὼ ἀνεχώρησα. Αὐτοὶ δὲ μεθ' ὑπομονῆς πάντα ἐποίησαν, ὅσα εἶπον αὐτοῖς· καὶ οὐ παρέβαλόν μοι ἐπὶ τρία ἔτη. Καὶ ἔμεινα πολεμῶν τοῖς λογισμοῖς, λέγων· Τίς ἄρα ἐστὶν ἡ ἐργασία αὐτῶν, ὅτι οὐκ ἦλθον ἐρωτῆσαι λογισμόν; Οἱ ἀπὸ μήκοθεν ἔρχονται πρὸς μὲ καὶ οὗτοι οἱ ἐγγὺς οὐκ ἦλθον, οὔτε δὲ πρὸς ἄλλους ὑπῆγον· εἰ μὴ μόνον εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν σιωπῶντες, λαβεῖν τὴν προσφοράν. Καὶ ηὐξάμην τῷ Θεῷ νηστεύσας τὴν ἑβδομάδα, ἵνα δείξῃ μοι τὴν ἐργασίαν αὐτῶν. Ἀναστὰς δὲ μετὰ τὴν ἑβδομάδα, ἀπῆλθον πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἰδεῖν πῶς κάθηνται. Καὶ κρούσαντός μου ἀνέῳξαν, καὶ ἡσπάσαντό με σιωπῶντες καὶ ποιήσας εὐχὴν, ἐκάθισα. Νεύσας δὲ ὁ μείζων τῷ μικροτέρῳ ἐξελθεῖν, ἐκάθισε πλέκειν τὴν σειρὰν, λαλήσας μηδέν· καὶ τῇ ὥρᾳ τῆς ἐνάτης, ἔκρουσε, καὶ ἦλθεν ὁ νεώτερος καὶ ἐποίησε μικρὸν ἔψημα, καὶ παρέθηκε τράπεζαν, νεύσαντος αὐτῷ τοῦ μειζοτέρου· καὶ ἔθηκεν εἰς αὐτὴν τρεῖς παξαμάδας, καὶ ἔστη σιωπῶν. Ἐγὼ δὲ εἶπον· Ἑγείρεσθε, φάγωμεν. Καὶ ἀναστάντες, ἐφάγομεν· καὶ ἤνεγκε τὸ βαυκάλιον, καὶ ἐπίομεν. Ὡς δὲ ἐγένετο ἑσπέρα, λέγουσί μοι· Ὑπάγεις; Ἐγὼ δὲ εἶπον Οὐχὶ, ἀλλ᾽ ὧδε κοιμῶμαι, Καὶ ἔθηκάν μοι ψιάθιον παρὰ μέρος, καὶ ἑαυτοῖς εἰς τὴν γωνίαν παρὰ μέρος· καὶ ἦραν τὰς ζώνας αὐτῶν καὶ τοὺς ἀναλάβους, καὶ ἔθηκαν ἑαυτοὺς ὁμοῦ εἰς τὸ ψιάθιον ἔμπροσθέν μου. Ὡς δὲ ἔθηκαν ἑαυτοὺς, ηὐξάμην τῷ Θεῷ, ἵνα μοι ἀποκαλύψῃ τὴν ἐργασίαν αὐτῶν. Καὶ ἡνεώχθη ἡ στέγη, καὶ ἐγένετο φῶς ὡς ἡμέρα· αὐτοὶ δὲ οὐκ ἐθεώρουν τὸ φῶς. Καὶ ὡς ἐνόμιζον ὅτι κοιμῶμαι, νύσσει ὁ μείζων τὸν μικρότερον εἰς τὴν πλευρὰν, καὶ ἐγείρονται, καὶ ζώνουσιν δὲ ἑαυτοὺς, καὶ ἐκτείνουσι τὰς χεῖρας εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν. Καὶ ἐθεώρουν αὐτοὺς· αὐτοὶ δὲ οὐκ ἐθεώρουν με· καὶ εἶδον τοὺς δαίμονας ἐρχομένους ὥσπερ μυίας. ἐπὶ τὸν μικρότερον· καὶ οἱ μὲν ἤρχοντο καθίσαι εἰς τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ, οἱ δὲ εἰς τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ. Καὶ εἶδον ἄγγελον Κυρίου κατέχοντα ῥομφαίαν πυρὸς, καὶ περιχαρακοῦντα αὐτὸν καὶ διώκοντα τοὺς δαίμονας ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ. Τῷ δὲ μειζοτέρῳ οὐκ ἐδύναντο προσεγγίσαι. Καὶ ὡς περὶ τὴν πρωΐαν ἔθηκαν ἑαυτούς• κἀγὼ ἐποίησα ἐμαυτὸν ὅτι διϋπνίσθην, καὶ αὐτοὶ ὡσαύτως. Εἶπε δὲ μοι ὁ μείζων τὸν λόγον τοῦτον μόνον Θέλεις βάλωμεν τοὺς δώδεκα ψαλμούς; Λέγω· Ναί. Καὶ ψάλλει ὁ μικρότερος πέντε ψαλμοὺς ἀπὸ ἓξ στίχων καὶ ἐν Ἀλληλούϊα Καὶ κατὰ στίχον, ἐξήρχετο λαμπὰς πυρὸς ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀνέβαινεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν. Ωσαύτως καὶ ὁ μείζων, ὅτε ἤνοιγε τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ ψάλλων, ὡς σχοινίον πυρὸς ἐξήρχετο, καὶ ἔφθανεν ἕως τοῦ οὐρανοῦ. Κἀγὼ εἶπον μικρὸν ἀπὸ στήθους. Καὶ ἐξελθὼν, λέγω· Εὔξασθε περὶ ἐμοῦ. Αὐτοὶ δὲ ἔβαλον μετάνοιαν, σιωπῶντες. Ἔμαθον οὖν ὅτι ὁ μείζων τέλειός ἐστι τῷ δὲ μικροτέρῳ ἀκμὴν ἐπολέμει ὁ ἐχθρός. Μετὰ δὲ μικρὰς ἡμέρας, ἐκοιμήθη ὁ μείζων ἀδελφὸς, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ὁ μικρότερος. Καὶ ὅτε παρέβαλόν τινες τῶν Πατέρων πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Μακάριον, ἐλάμβανεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν κέλλαν αὐτῶν, λέγων· Δεῦτε, ἴδετε τὸ μαρτύριον τῶν μικρῶν ξένων. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Bitimius related that abba Macarius said, “Once when I was living at Scetis, two young strangers came down there; one had a beard, the other was beginning to grow a beard. And they came to me, saying, ‘Where is abba Macarius’s cell?’ And I said, ‘What do you want with him?’ And they say, ‘Hearing about him and about Scetis, we came to see him.’ I say to them, ‘I am he.’ And they made a prostration, saying, ‘We want to stay here.’ Seeing that they were delicate and as if from wealth, I say to them, ‘You cannot live here.’ And the elder says, ‘If we cannot live here, we will go elsewhere.’ I say to my thought, ‘Why do I drive them away and give them offense? The labor will make them flee of their own accord.’ And I say to them, ‘Come, make yourselves a cell, if you can.’ And they say, ‘Show us a place, and we will make it.’” The old man gave them an axe and a bag full of bread, and salt; and the old man showed them a hard rock, saying, “Quarry here, and bring yourselves wood from the marsh, and when you have roofed it, live here.” “I thought,” he says, “that they would leave because of the labor. They asked me what they should work at here. I say to them, ‘Rope’; and I take palm leaves from the marsh and show them the beginning of the rope and how to sew, and I said, ‘Make baskets and give them to the guards, and they will bring you bread.’ Then I went away. But they did with patience everything I told them; and they did not visit me for three years. And I remained fighting with my thoughts, saying, ‘What is their work, that they have not come to ask about a thought? Those from far away come to me, and these who are near have not come, nor did they go to others, except only to church in silence to receive the offering.’ And I prayed to God, fasting for the week, that he would show me their work. And getting up after the week, I went to them to see how they lived. When I knocked, they opened and greeted me in silence; and after praying, I sat down. The elder nodded to the younger to go out, and sat down to plait the rope, saying nothing; and at the ninth hour he knocked, and the younger came and made a little cooked food, and set the table, at a nod from the elder; and he put three biscuits on it and stood in silence. And I said, ‘Get up, let us eat.’ And we got up and ate; and he brought the jug, and we drank. When evening came, they say to me, ‘Are you going?’ And I said, ‘No, but I will sleep here.’ And they set a mat for me to one side, and for themselves in the corner to one side; and they took off their belts and scapulars and laid themselves down together on the mat in front of me. When they had laid themselves down, I prayed to God that he would reveal their work to me. And the roof opened, and there was light as by day; but they did not see the light. And when they thought I was asleep, the elder nudged the younger in the side, and they get up, and gird themselves, and stretch out their hands to heaven. And I saw them, but they did not see me; and I saw the demons coming like flies upon the younger; and some came to sit on his mouth, others on his eyes. And I saw an angel of the Lord holding a sword of fire, encircling him and driving the demons away from him. But they could not come near the elder. And when toward morning they lay down, I made as though I had woken up, and so did they. The elder said to me only this word: ‘Do you want us to say the twelve psalms?’ I say, ‘Yes.’ And the younger chants five psalms of six verses each, with an alleluia; and at each verse a lamp of fire came out of his mouth and went up to heaven. Likewise the elder, when he opened his mouth to chant, something like a rope of fire came out and reached to heaven. And I said a little by heart. And going out, I say, ‘Pray for me.’ But they made a prostration in silence. So I learned that the elder was perfect, but the enemy was still fighting the younger. A few days later the elder brother fell asleep, and on the third day the younger. And when any of the Fathers visited abba Macarius, he would take them to their cell, saying, ‘Come, see the martyrium of the little strangers.’” ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. A martyrium is a shrine over the remains of saints. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.33 (PG 65:273–277; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-33). ## Macarius the Egyptian 34 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-34 - Source: PG 65:277 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: At Nitria Macarius’s only word is a call to weep now, before the tears of hell. ### Greek text Απέστειλάν ποτε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Μακάριον ἐν τῇ Σκήτει οἱ γέροντες τοῦ ὄρους, παρακαλοῦντες αὐτόν· καὶ φασι πρὸς αὐτόν· ἵνα μὴ σκυλῇ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς πρὸς σὲ, ἀξιοῦμέν σε παραγενέσθαι πρὸς ἡμᾶς, ὅπως θεασώμεθα πρὸ τοῦ σε ἐκδημῆσαι πρὸς Κύριον. Παραγενομένου δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ ὄρει, συνήχθη πᾶς ὁ λαὸς πρὸς αὐτόν. Καὶ παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν οἱ γέροντες εἰπεῖν λόγον τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς. Ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας ἔφη Κλαύσωμεν, ἀδελφοὶ, καὶ καταγαγέτωσαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ἡμῶν δάκρυα, πρὸ τοῦ ἡμᾶς ἀπελθεῖν, ὅπου τὰ ἡμῶν δάκρυα κατακαύσει τὰ σώματα ἡμῶν. Καὶ ἔκλαυσαν πάντες, καὶ ἔπεσον ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν, καὶ εἶπον· Πάτερ, εὖξαι ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν. ### English translation (Claude) Once the old men of the mountain sent to abba Macarius at Scetis, begging him; and they say to him, “So that all the people may not be troubled to come to you, we ask you to come to us, so that we may see you before you depart to the Lord.” When he came to the mountain, all the people gathered to him. And the old men asked him to say a word to the brothers. Hearing this, he said, “Let us weep, brothers, and let our eyes shed tears before we go where our tears will burn up our bodies.” And they all wept, and fell on their faces, and said, “Father, pray for us.” ### Scripture references - Luke 6:25: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.34 (PG 65:277; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-34). ## Macarius the Egyptian 35 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-35 - Source: PG 65:277 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A demon admits that humility alone gives Macarius the victory. ### Greek text "Αλλοτε πάλιν, δαίμων ἐπέστη τῷ ἀββᾷ Μακαρίῳ μετὰ μαχαιρίου, θέλων τὸν πόδα αὐτοῦ κόψαι· καὶ διὰ τὴν ταπεινοφροσύνην αὐτοῦ μὴ δυνηθεὶς, λέγει αὐτῷ· ὅσα ἔχετε, καὶ ἡμεῖς ἔχομεν· μόνῃ τῇ ταπεινοφροσύνῃ διαφέρετε ἡμῶν, καὶ κρατεῖτε. ### English translation (Claude) Another time a demon came upon abba Macarius with a knife, wanting to cut his foot; and unable because of his humility, he says to him, “Whatever you have, we have too; only in humility do you differ from us and prevail.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.35 (PG 65:277; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-35). ## Macarius the Egyptian 36 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-36 - Source: PG 65:277 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Remembering wrongs from people weakens us; remembering demons’ wiles protects us. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος· Ἐὰν μνησθῶμεν τῶν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἐπαγομένων ἡμῖν κακῶν, ἀναιροῦμεν τὴν δύναμιν τῆς τοῦ Θεοῦ μνήμης. Ἐὰν δὲ μνησθῶμεν τῶν κακῶν τῶν δαιμόνων, ἐσόμεθα ἄτρωτοι. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Macarius said, “If we remember the evils brought upon us by men, we destroy the power of the remembrance of God. But if we remember the evils of the demons, we shall be invulnerable.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.36 (PG 65:277; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-36). ## Macarius the Egyptian 37 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-37 - Source: PG 65:277–279 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius still weeps over a fig he ate from stolen fruit as a child. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Παφνούτιος ὁ μαθητὴς τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μακαρίου, ὅτι ἔλεγεν ὁ γέρων ὅτι, Ὅτε ἤμην παιδίον, μετὰ τῶν ἄλλων παιδίων ἔβοσκον βοΐδια· καὶ ἀπῆλθον κλέψαι συκίδια. Καὶ ὡς τρέχουσιν, ἔπεσεν ἓν ἐξ αὐτῶν· καὶ λαβὼν ἔφαγον αὐτό· καὶ ὅτε μνημονεύσω αὐτοῦ, κάθημαι κλαίων. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Paphnutius, the disciple of abba Macarius, said that the old man used to say, “When I was a child, I was herding cattle with the other children; and they went to steal figs. And as they ran, one of the figs fell; and I picked it up and ate it; and whenever I remember it, I sit weeping.” ### Translation notes - A variant note is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.37 (PG 65:277–279; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-37). ## Macarius the Egyptian 38 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-38 - Source: PG 65:279 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A pagan priest’s skull tells Macarius that his prayers bring some relief to the damned, and that apostates suffer worse. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος ὅτι, Περιπατῶν ποτε εἰς τὴν ἔρημον, εὖρον κρανίον εἰς τὸ ἔδαφος νεκροῦ ἐῤῥιμμένον· καὶ σαλεύσας αὐτὸ τῇ βαΐνῃ ῥάβδῳ, ἐλάλησέ μοι τὸ κρανίον. Καὶ λέγω αὐτῷ· Σὺ τίς εἶ; Ἀπεκρίθη μοι τὸ κρανίον· Ἐγὼ ἤμην ἀρχιερεὺς τῶν εἰδώλων, καὶ τῶν μεινάντων Ἑλλήνων ἐν τῷ τόπῳ τούτῳ· σὺ δὲ εἶ Μακάριος ὁ πνευματοφόρος οἴαν ὥραν σπλαγχνισθῇς τοὺς ἐν τῇ κολάσει, καὶ εὔχῃ περὶ αὐτῶν, παραμυθοῦνται ὀλίγον. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ποία ἐστὶν ἡ παραμυθία, καὶ τίς ἡ κόλασις; Λέγει αὐτῷ· Ὅσον ἀπέχει ὁ οὐρανὸς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, τοσοῦτόν ἐστι τὸ πῦρ ὑποκάτωθεν ἡμῶν, ἀπὸ ποδῶν ἕως κεφαλῆς ἑστηκότων ἡμῶν μέσον τοῦ πυρός· καὶ οὐκ ἔστι πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον θεάσασθαί τινα ἀλλὰ τὸ πρόσωπον ἑκάστου, πρὸς τὸν ἑτέρου νῶτον κεκόλληται. Ὡς οὖν εὔχῃ ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν, ἐκ μέρους τις θεωρεῖ τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ ἑτέρου. Αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ παραμυθία. Καὶ κλαύσας ὁ γέρων εἶπεν· Οὐαὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐν ᾗ ἐγεννήθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἔστιν ἄλλη χείρων βάσανος; Λέγει αὐτῷ τὸ κρανίον· Μειζοτέρα βάσανός ἐστιν ὑποκάτωθεν ἡμῶν. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Καὶ τίνες εἰσὶν ἐκεῖ; Λέγει αὐτῷ τὸ κρανίον· Ἡμεῖς ὡς μὴ εἰδότες τὸν Θεὸν, κἂν ὀλίγον ἐλεούμεθα· οἱ δὲ ἐπιγνόντες τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ ἀρνησάμενοι αὐτὸν ὑποκάτωθεν ἡμῶν εἰσι. Καὶ λαβὼν ὁ γέρων τὸ κρανίον, ἔχωσεν αὐτό. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Macarius said, “Once as I was walking in the desert, I found the skull of a dead man thrown on the ground; and when I moved it with my palm stick, the skull spoke to me. And I say to it, ‘Who are you?’ The skull answered me, ‘I was high priest of the idols and of the pagans who remained in this place; and you are Macarius the Spirit-bearer. Whenever you take pity on those in punishment and pray for them, they are comforted a little.’ The old man says to it, ‘What is the comfort, and what is the punishment?’ It says to him, ‘As far as heaven is from the earth, so far is the fire beneath us, as we stand in the midst of the fire from feet to head; and it is not possible to see anyone face to face, but each one’s face is stuck to the other’s back. So when you pray for us, each one sees the other’s face in part. This is the comfort.’ And the old man wept and said, ‘Woe to the day on which man was born!’ The old man says to it, ‘Is there another torment worse?’ The skull says to him, ‘There is a greater torment beneath us.’ The old man says to it, ‘And who are there?’ The skull says to him, ‘We, as not having known God, receive at least a little mercy; but those who knew God and denied him are beneath us.’ And the old man took the skull and buried it.” ### Scripture references - Job 3:3: echo, low confidence - Heb 6:6: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The saying speaks of prayer bringing some relief to the damned and of degrees of punishment; it is translated as written. Cf. Job 3:3. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.38 (PG 65:279; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-38). ## Macarius the Egyptian 39 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-39 - Source: PG 65:279–281 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A pagan priest beaten by Macarius’s rude disciple is converted by Macarius’s kind greeting. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μακαρίου τοῦ Αἰγυπτίου, ὅτι ἀνέβαινέ ποτε ἐκ τῆς Σκήτεως εἰς τὸ ὄρος τῆς Νιτρίας· καὶ ὡς ἤγγισεν εἰς τὸν τόπον, εἶπε τῷ μαθητῇ αὐτοῦ· Πρόλαβε μικρόν. Καὶ ἐν τῷ προάγειν αὐτὸν, συναντᾷ τινι ἱερεῖ τῶν Ἑλλήνων καὶ κράξας αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφὸς, ἐφώνει λέγων· Αἱ αἱ δαῖμον, ποῦ τρέχεις; Στραφεὶς δὲ ἐκεῖνος, διδοῖ αὐτῷ πληγάς, καὶ ἀφίει αὐτὸν ἡμιθανῆ. Καὶ ἄρας τὸ ξύλον ἔτρεχε. Καὶ προβάντι ὀλίγον, συναντᾷ αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος τρέχοντι· καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Σωθείης, σωθείης, καματηρέ. Καὶ θαυμάσας ἦλθε πρὸς αὐτὸν, καὶ εἶπεν· Τί καλὸν εἶδες ἐν ἐμοὶ, ὅτι προσηγόρευσάς με; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Ὅτι εἶδόν σε κοπιῶντα καὶ οὐκ οἶδας ὅτι εἰς κενὸν κοπιᾷς. Λέγει αὐτῷ καὶ αὐτός Κἀγὼ ἐπὶ τῷ ἀσπασμῷ σου κατενύγην· καὶ ἔμαθον ὅτι τοῦ μέρους τοῦ Θεοῦ εἶ. Ἄλλος δὲ κακὸς μοναχὸς ἀπαντήσας μοι, ὕβρισέ με· κἀγὼ ἔδωκα αὐτῷ πληγὰς εἰς θάνατον. Καὶ ἔγνω ὁ γέρων ὅτι ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ ἐστι. Καὶ κρατήσας τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ ὁ ἱερεὺς ἔλεγεν· Οὐκ ἀφῶ σε, ἐὰν μὴ ποιήσῃς με μοναχόν. Καὶ ἦλθον ἐπάνω ὅπου ἦν ὁ μοναχὸς, καὶ ἐβάσταξαν αὐτὸν, καὶ ἤνεγκαν εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ ὄρους. Καὶ ἰδόντες τὸν ἱερέα μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ, ἐξέστησαν· καὶ ἐποίησαν αὐτὸν μοναχόν. Καὶ πολλοὶ τῶν Ἑλλήνων ἐγένοντο δι' αὐτὸν Χριστιανοί. Ἔλεγεν οὖν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος, ὅτι ὁ λόγος ὁ κακὸς καὶ τοὺς καλοὺς ποιεῖ κακούς· καὶ ὁ καλὸς λόγος, καὶ τοὺς κακοὺς ποιεῖ καλούς. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Macarius the Egyptian that once he was going up from Scetis to the mountain of Nitria; and as he drew near the place, he said to his disciple, “Go on ahead a little.” And as he went ahead, he meets a pagan priest; and the brother shouted at him, crying out, “Ha, ha, demon, where are you running?” The man turned and gave him blows and left him half dead. And picking up his stick, he ran on. And when he had gone on a little, abba Macarius meets him running, and says to him, “Greetings, greetings, toiler!” And he marveled and came to him and said, “What good did you see in me, that you greeted me?” The old man says to him, “Because I saw you toiling, and you do not know that you toil in vain.” He too says to him, “And I was pierced to the heart at your greeting, and I learned that you are of God’s side. But another, a wicked monk, met me and insulted me, and I gave him blows to the death.” And the old man knew that it was his disciple. And the priest seized his feet and said, “I will not let you go unless you make me a monk.” And they came up to where the monk was, and carried him, and brought him to the church of the mountain. And seeing the priest with him, they were amazed; and they made him a monk. And many of the pagans became Christians because of him. So abba Macarius said, “An evil word makes even the good evil; and a good word makes even the evil good.” ### Scripture references - 1 Cor 15:58: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.39 (PG 65:279–281; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-39). ## Macarius the Egyptian 40 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-40 - Source: PG 65:281 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius helps a robber load his goods, but the camel will not move until they are unloaded. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μακαρίου, ὅτι ἀπόντος αὐτοῦ, εἰσῆλθε λῃστὴς εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ. Παραγενομένου δὲ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ κελλίον, εὖρε τὸν λῃστὴν γεμίζοντα τὴν κάμηλον τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ. Αὐτὸς δὲ εἰσελθὼν εἰς τὸ κελλίον, ἐλάμβανεν ἀπὸ τῶν σκευῶν, καὶ συνεγέμιζε μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ τὴν κάμηλον. Ὡς οὖν ἐγέμισαν, ἤρξατο ὁ λῃστὴς τύπτειν τὴν κάμηλον, ἵνα ἀναστῇ· καὶ οὐκ ἠγείρετο. Ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος ὅτι οὐκ ἐγείρεται, εἰσελθὼν ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ εὗρε μικρὸν σκαλίδιν· καὶ ἐκβαλὼν ἐπέθηκε τῇ καμήλῳ, λέγων· Αδελφὲ, τοῦτο ζητεῖ ἡ κάμηλος. Καὶ κρούσας αὐτὴν ὁ γέρων τῷ ποδί, λέγει· Ἀνάστα. Καὶ εὐθέως ἀνέστη, καὶ ἀπῆλθε μικρὸν διὰ τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ. Καὶ πάλιν ἐκάθισε, καὶ οὐκ ἀνέστη, ἕως ἀπεγέμισαν ὅλα τὰ σκεύη καὶ οὕτως ἀπῆλθεν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Macarius that while he was away, a robber went into his cell. When he came to the cell, he found the robber loading his belongings onto the camel. And going into the cell, he took some of the belongings and helped him load the camel. When they had loaded it, the robber began to beat the camel to make it get up; and it would not rise. Seeing that it did not get up, abba Macarius went into the cell and found a small hoe; and bringing it out he put it on the camel, saying, “Brother, the camel is asking for this.” And the old man kicked it with his foot, saying, “Get up.” And at once it got up and went a little way because of his word. And again it sat down and would not get up until they had unloaded all the belongings; and so it went away. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.40 (PG 65:281; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-40). ## Macarius the Egyptian 41 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-4/#p-69-41 - Source: PG 65:281 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Flee men, weep in your cell, and shun chatter. ### Greek text Ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀϊὼ ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Μακάριον, λέγων· Εἰπέ μοι ῥῆμα. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος· Φεῦγε τοὺς ἀνθρώπους· κάθισον εἰς τὸ κελλίον σου, καὶ κλαῦσον τὰς ἁμαρτίας σου· καὶ μὴ ἀγαπήσῃς λαλιὰν ἀνθρώπων καὶ σώζῃ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Aio asked abba Macarius, saying, “Tell me a word.” Abba Macarius says to him, “Flee from men; sit in your cell and weep for your sins; and do not love the talk of men; and you will be saved.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 69.41 (PG 65:281; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/69-41). ## Moses 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-70-1 - Source: PG 65:281 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isidore shows Moses that the angels helping him outnumber the demons attacking him. ### Greek text Ἑπολεμήθη ποτὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Μωϋσῆς εἰς πορνείαν πάνυ· καὶ μηκέτι ἰσχύων καθίσαι εἰς τὸ κελλίον, ἀπῆλθε, καὶ ἀνήγγειλε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἰσιδώρῳ. Καὶ παρεκάλεσεν αὐτὸν ὁ γέρων, ἵνα ὑποστρέψῃ εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ. Καὶ οὐ κατεδέξατο, λέγων ὅτι, Οὐκ ἰσχύω, ἀββᾶ. Καὶ λαβὼν αὐτὸν μεθ᾽ ἑαυτοῦ, ἀνήγαγεν εἰς τὸ δῶμα, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Πρόσχες εἰς δυσμάς. Καὶ προσχών, εἶδε πλῆθος δαιμόνων ἀναρίθμητον· καὶ ἦσαν τεταραγμένοι, καὶ θορυβοῦντες τοῦ πολεμεῖν. Λέγει αὐτῷ πάλιν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰσίδωρος· Βλέψον καὶ εἰς τὰς ἀνατολάς. Καὶ προσέσχε, καὶ εἶδεν ἀναρίθμητα πλήθη ἁγίων ἀγγέλων δεδοξασμένων. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰσίδωρος· Ἰδοὺ οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ ἀποστελλόμενοι τοῖς ἁγίοις παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου εἰς βοήθειαν. Οἱ δὲ εἰς δυσμὰς, εἰσὶν οἱ πολεμοῦντες αὐτοὺς Πλείους οὖν εἰσιν οἱ μεθ᾽ ἡμῶν. Καὶ οὕτως εὐχαριστήσας ὁ ἀββᾶς Μωϋσῆς τῷ Θεῷ, ἔλαβε θάρσος, καὶ ὑπέστρεψε εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Moses was fiercely attacked by sexual temptation; and no longer able to stay in his cell, he went and told abba Isidore. And the old man urged him to go back to his cell. But he would not, saying, “I cannot, abba.” And taking him with him, he brought him up onto the roof and says to him, “Look toward the west.” And looking, he saw a countless multitude of demons, agitated and clamoring to fight. Abba Isidore says to him again, “Look toward the east too.” And he looked, and saw countless multitudes of holy angels in glory. And abba Isidore said, “Look, these are the ones sent by the Lord to the saints for help. Those in the west are the ones fighting them. So those with us are more.” And so abba Moses gave thanks to God, took courage, and went back to his cell. ### Scripture references - 2 Kgs 6:16: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of 2 Kgs 6:16. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 70.1 (PG 65:281; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1). ## Moses 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-70-2 - Source: PG 65:281–283 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Moses carries a leaking basket of sand to a council to show that his own sins run out behind him unseen. ### Greek text Ἀδελφός ποτε ἐσφάλη εἰς Σκῆτιν· καὶ γενομένου συνεδρίου, ἀπέστειλαν πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Μωϋσῆν. Ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἤθελεν ἐλθεῖν. Απέστειλεν οὖν πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ πρεσβύτερος, λέγων· Ἐλθὲ, ὅτι σε ὁ λαὸς περιμένει. Ὁ δὲ ἀναστὰς ἦλθε. Καὶ λαβὼν σπυρίδα τετρημμένην καὶ γεμίσας ἄμμου, ἐβάστασεν. Οἱ δὲ ἐξελθόντες εἰς ἀπάντησιν αὐτοῦ, λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Τί ἐστι τοῦτο, Πάτερ; Εἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Αἱ ἁμαρτίαι μού εἰσιν ὀπίσω μου καταρρέουσαι, καὶ οὐ βλέπω αὐτάς· καὶ ἦλθον ἐγὼ σήμερον, ἁμαρτήματα ἀλλότρια κρῖναι. Οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες, οὐδὲν ἐλάλησαν τῷ ἀδελφῷ· ἀλλὰ συνεχώρησαν αὐτῷ. ### English translation (Claude) Once a brother committed a fault at Scetis; and when a council was held, they sent for abba Moses. But he would not come. So the presbyter sent to him, saying, “Come, for the people are waiting for you.” And he got up and came. And taking a basket with holes in it and filling it with sand, he carried it. Those who went out to meet him say to him, “What is this, father?” The old man said to them, “My sins are running out behind me, and I do not see them; and I have come today to judge someone else’s sins.” Hearing this, they said nothing to the brother, but forgave him. ### Scripture references - Matt 7:3: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Variant notes and stray lines from Migne’s notes are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 70.2 (PG 65:281–283; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-2). ## Moses 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-70-3 - Source: PG 65:283 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Insulted as an Ethiopian to test him, Moses was troubled but kept silent. ### Greek text "Αλλοτε συνεδρίου γενομένου ἐν τῇ Σκήτει, θέλοντες αὐτὸν οἱ Πατέρες δοκιμάσαι, ἐξουδένωσαν αὐτὸν, λέγοντες· Τι καὶ ὁ Αἰθίοψ οὗτος ἔρχεται εἰς τὴν μέσην ἡμῶν; Ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας ἐσιώπησε. Μετὰ δὲ τὸ ἀπολυθῆναι αὐτοὺς, λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, οὐδὲν δε ἄρτι ἐταράχθης; Λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ἐταράχθην, ἀλλ' οὐκ ἐλάλησα. ### English translation (Claude) Another time, when a council was held at Scetis, the Fathers, wanting to test him, treated him with contempt, saying, “Why does this Ethiopian come among us?” Hearing this, he kept silent. After they were dismissed, they say to him, “Abba, were you not troubled just now?” He says to them, “I was troubled, but I did not speak.” ### Translation notes - The Fathers’ insult refers to Moses’ Ethiopian origin; it is translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 70.3 (PG 65:283; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-3). ## Moses 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-70-4 - Source: PG 65:283 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Ordained, Moses is driven from the sanctuary as an Ethiopian to test him, and accepts the humiliation. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μωϋσέως, ὅτι ἐγένετο κληρικὸς, καὶ ἐπέθηκαν αὐτῷ τὴν ἐπωμίδα. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἰδοὺ γέγονας ὀλόλευκος, ἀββᾶ Μωϋσῆ. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἄ̓́ρα τὰ ἔξω, κῦρι ὁ Πάπας ἢ καὶ τὰ ἔσω! Θέλων δὲ ὁ ἀρχιεπίσκοπος δοκιμάσαι αὐτὸν, λέγει τοῖς κληρικοῖς· "Ὅταν εἰσέρχηται ὁ ἀββᾶς Μωϋσῆς εἰς τὸ ἱερατεῖον, διώξατε αὐτὸν, καὶ ἀκολουθήσατε αὐτῷ, ἵνα ἀκούσητε τί λέγει. Εἰσῆλθεν οὖν ὁ γέρων· καὶ ἐπετίμησαν αὐτὸν, καὶ ἐδίωξαν, λέγοντες· Ὕπαγε ἔξω, Αἰθίοψ. Ὁ δὲ ἐξελθὼν ἔλεγεν ἑαυτῷ Καλῶς σοι ἐποίησαν, σποδόδερμε μελανέ. Μὴ ὢν ἄνθρωπος, τί ἔρχῃ μετὰ ἀνθρώπων; ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Moses that he was made a cleric, and they put the vestment on him. And the archbishop says to him, “Look, you have become all white, abba Moses.” The old man says to him, “Is it the outside, lord pope, or the inside too?” Wanting to test him, the archbishop says to the clergy, “When abba Moses goes into the sanctuary, drive him out, and follow him to hear what he says.” So the old man went in; and they rebuked him and drove him out, saying, “Go outside, Ethiopian.” And going out he said to himself, “They have treated you rightly, ash-skinned black. Since you are not a man, why do you come among men?” ### Translation notes - The insults and Moses’ self-abasement refer to his Ethiopian origin and dark skin; they are translated as written. ἐπωμίς is the vestment of his order. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 70.4 (PG 65:283; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-4). ## Moses 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-70-5 - Source: PG 65:283 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Moses breaks a fast to feed visitors and is praised for keeping God’s command rather than men’s. ### Greek text Ἐδόθη ποτὲ εἰς Σκῆτιν ἐντολὴ ὅτι, Νηστεύσατε τὴν ἑβδομάδα ταύτην· καὶ κατ᾿ εὐκαιρίαν, παρέβαλον ἀδελφοὶ ἀπὸ Αἰγύπτου τῷ ἀββᾷ Μωϋσῇ καὶ ἐποίησεν αὐτοῖς μικρὸν ἔψημα. Καὶ ἰδόντες οἱ γείτονες τὸν καπνὸν, εἶπον τοῖς κληρικοῖς Ἰδοὺ Μωϋσῆς κατέλυσε τὴν ἐντολὴν, καὶ ἔψημα παρ' ἑαυτῷ ἐποίησεν. Οἱ δὲ εἶπον· Ὅτε ἔρχεται, ἡμεῖς λαλοῦμεν αὐτῷ. Τοῦ δὲ σαββάτου γενομένου, οἱ κληρικοὶ ἰδόντες τὴν μεγάλην πολιτείαν τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μωϋσέως, ἔλεγον αὐτῷ ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ λαοῦ· Ὦ ἀββᾶ Μωϋσῆ, τὴν ἐντολὴν τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἔλυσας, καὶ τὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐφύλαξας ### English translation (Claude) Once an order was given at Scetis: “Fast this week.” And as it happened, brothers from Egypt visited abba Moses, and he made them a little cooked food. Seeing the smoke, the neighbors said to the clergy, “Look, Moses has broken the commandment and made cooked food at his place.” They said, “When he comes, we will speak to him.” When Saturday came, the clergy, seeing the great virtue of abba Moses, said to him before the people, “O abba Moses, you have broken the commandment of men and kept the commandment of God.” ### Scripture references - Mark 7:8: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 70.5 (PG 65:283; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-5). ## Moses 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-70-6 - Source: PG 65:283 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Moses: sit in your cell, and it will teach you everything. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς παρέβαλεν εἰς Σκῆτιν πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Μωϋσῆν, αἰτούμενος παρ' αὐτοῦ λόγον. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Ὕπαγε, κάθισον εἰς τὸ κελλίον σου· καὶ τὸ κελλίον σου διδάσκει σε πάντα. ### English translation (Claude) A brother visited abba Moses at Scetis, asking a word of him. The old man says to him, “Go, sit in your cell, and your cell will teach you everything.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 70.6 (PG 65:283; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-6). ## Moses 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-70-7 - Source: PG 65:283–285 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: One who flees people ripens; one who stays among them stays sour. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μωϋσῆς· Ἄνθρωπος φεύγων ἔοικε σταφυλῇ ὀπτῇ· ὁ δὲ ἐν ἀνθρώποις ῶν, ὡς ὅμφαξ ἐστίν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Moses said, “A man who flees [men] is like a ripe grape; but one who lives among men is like a sour grape.” ### Translation notes - Variant notes and a stray line of names are removed; the object of “flees” (“men”) is lost in the scan and supplied in brackets from the contrast. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 70.7 (PG 65:283–285; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-7). ## Moses 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-70-8 - Source: PG 65:285 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Moses avoids a visiting magistrate by calling himself a fool. ### Greek text Ἤκουσέ ποτε ὁ ἄρχων περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μωῦσέως, καὶ ἀπῆλθεν εἰς Σκῆτιν ἰδεῖν αὐτόν· καὶ ἀνήγγειλάν τινες τῷ γέροντι τὸ πρᾶγμα· καὶ ἀνέστη φυγεῖν εἰς τὸ ἕλος. Καὶ ὑπήντησαν αὐτῷ λέγοντες. Εἰπὲ ἡμῖν, γέρον ποῦ ἔστιν ἡ κέλλα τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μωϋσέως; Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Τί θέλετε παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ; ἄνθρωπος σαλός ἐστι. Καὶ ἐλθὼν ὁ ἄρχων εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, λέγει τοῖς κληρικοῖς· Ἐγὼ ἀκούων τὰ περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μωϋσέως, κατῆλθον ἰδεῖν αὐτόν· καὶ ἰδοὺ ὑπήντησεν ἡμῖν γέρων ὑπάγων εἰς Αἴγυπτον, καὶ εἴπομεν αὐτῷ· Ποῦ ἔστιν ἡ κέλλα τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μωϋσέως; καὶ λέγει ἡμῖν· Τί θέλετε ἀπ' αὐτοῦ; σαλός ἐστιν. Ἀκούσαντες δὲ οἱ κληρικοὶ, ἐλυπήθησαν, λέγοντες Ποταπὸς ἦν ὁ γέρων ὁ ταῦτα λαλήσας κατὰ τοῦ ἁγίου; Οἱ δὲ εἶπον· Γέρων, παλαιὰ φορῶν, μακρὺς καὶ μελανός. Οἱ δὲ εἶπον· Αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μωϋσῆς· καὶ διὰ τὸ μὴ ἀπαντῆσαι αὐτὸν ὑμῖν, ταῦτα εἶπεν ὑμῖν. Πολλὰ δὲ ὠφεληθεὶς ὁ ἄρχων ἀνεχώρησεν. ### English translation (Claude) Once the magistrate heard about abba Moses and went to Scetis to see him; and some people told the old man about it; and he got up to flee into the marsh. And they met him and said, “Tell us, old man, where is abba Moses’ cell?” And he says to them, “What do you want with him? He is a fool.” And the magistrate came to the church and says to the clergy, “I, hearing about abba Moses, came down to see him; and look, an old man met us going to Egypt, and we said to him, ‘Where is abba Moses’ cell?’ and he says to us, ‘What do you want from him? He is a fool.’” Hearing this, the clergy were grieved, saying, “What was the old man like who said these things against the saint?” They said, “An old man wearing old clothes, tall and black.” And they said, “That is abba Moses himself; and he said this to you so as not to meet you.” And the magistrate went away greatly helped. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 70.8 (PG 65:285; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-8). ## Moses 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-70-9 - Source: PG 65:285 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Moses warns that neglect of the Fathers’ commands will bring barbarians to Scetis. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μωϋσῆς ἐν Σκήτει· Ἐὰν φυλάξωμεν τὰς ἐντολὰς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν, ἐγὼ ἐγγυῶμαι ὑμᾶς πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, ὅτι βάρβαροι οὐκ ἔρχονται ὧδε. Εἰ δὲ μὴ φυλάξωμεν, ἐρημωθῆναι ἔχει ὁ τόπος οὗτος. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Moses said at Scetis, “If we keep the commandments of our Fathers, I guarantee you before God that barbarians will not come here. But if we do not keep them, this place will be laid waste.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 70.9 (PG 65:285; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-9). ## Moses 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-70-10 - Source: PG 65:285 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Moses, a former robber, awaits death by the sword at the barbarians’ hands, and seven martyrs are crowned. ### Greek text Καθημένων δὲ ποτε τῶν ἀδελφῶν πρὸς αὐτὸν, ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· Ἰδοὺ βάρβαροι σήμερον εἰς Σκῆτιν ἔρχονται· ἀλλὰ ἀνάστητε καὶ φύγετε. Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· ὸ οὖν οὐ φεύγεις, ἀββᾶ; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἐγὼ τοσαῦτα ἔτη προσδοκῶ τὴν ἡμέραν ταύτην ἵνα πληρωθῇ ὁ λόγος τοῦ Δεσπότου Χριστοῦ, λέγοντος· Πάντες οἱ λαβόντες μάχαιραν, ἐν μαχαίρᾳ ἀποθανοῦνται Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Οὐδὲ ἡμεῖς φεύγομεν, ἀλλὰ μετὰ σοῦ ἀποθνήσκομεν. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἐγὼ πρᾶγμα οὐκ ἔχω· ἕκαστος βλεπέτω πῶς καθέζεται. Ἦσαν δὲ ἑπτὰ ἀδελφοὶ, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς Ἰδοὺ οἱ βάρβαροι ἐγγίζουσι τῇ θύρᾳ. Καὶ εἰσελθόντες, ἐφόνευσαν αὐτούς. Εἷς δὲ ἐξ αὐτῶν ἔφυγεν ὀπίσω τῆς σειρᾶς· καὶ εἶδεν ἑπτὰ στεφάνους κατελθόντας, καὶ στεφανώσαντας αὐτούς. ### English translation (Claude) Once when the brothers were sitting with him, he said to them, “Look, barbarians are coming to Scetis today; but get up and flee.” They say to him, “Then are you not fleeing, abba?” He said to them, “For so many years I have been expecting this day, so that the word of the Master Christ may be fulfilled, who says, ‘All who take the sword will die by the sword.’” They say to him, “We will not flee either, but we will die with you.” He said to them, “It is not my affair; let each see how he stays.” There were seven brothers, and he says to them, “Look, the barbarians are drawing near the door.” And they came in and killed them. But one of them fled behind the rope; and he saw seven crowns coming down and crowning them. ### Scripture references - Matt 26:52: quotation, high confidence - Rev 2:10: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Moses had been a robber before becoming a monk; he applies Matt 26:52 to himself. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 70.10 (PG 65:285; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-10). ## Moses 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-70-11 - Source: PG 65:285 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Only one dead to the world can attain what he seeks. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Μωϋσέα, λέγων· Ὁρῶ ἐνώπιόν μου πρᾶγμα, καὶ οὐ δύναμαι αὐτὸ κατασχεῖν. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἐὰν μὴ γίνῃ νεκρός ὡς οἱ ταφέντες, οὐ δύνασαι αὐτὸ κατασχεῖν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Moses, saying, “I see something before me, and I cannot grasp it.” The old man says to him, “Unless you become dead like those who are buried, you cannot grasp it.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 70.11 (PG 65:285; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-11). ## Moses 12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-70-12 - Source: PG 65:285 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: To die to one’s neighbor, think oneself three days in the tomb. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Μωϋσέα, ποίῳ τρόπῳ νεκροῖ ἑαυτὸν ἄνθρωπος ἀπὸ τοῦ πλησίον. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων ὅτι, Ἐὰν μὴ θήσει ἄνθρωπος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ, ἑαυτὸν τε ἤδη τριήμερον ἐν μνημείῳ, οὐ φθάνει εἰς τὸν λόγον τοῦτον. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said that a brother asked abba Moses in what way a man makes himself dead to his neighbor. And the old man said to him, “Unless a man puts it in his heart that he is already three days in the tomb, he does not attain to this word.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 70.12 (PG 65:285; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-12). ## Moses 13 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-70-13 - Source: PG 65:285–287 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Moses, out of water for his guests, pleads with God until a rain cloud fills his vessels. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μωϋσέως εἰς Σκῆτιν, ὅτι ὡς ἤμελλεν ἐλθεῖν εἰς τὴν Πέτραν, ἐκοπίασεν ὁδεύων καὶ ἔλεγεν ἐν ἑαυτῷ Πῶς δύναμαι τὸ ὕδωρ μου συναγαγεῖν ὧδε Καὶ ἦλθεν αὐτῷ φωνὴ λέγουσα· Εἴσελθε, καὶ μηδὲν φροντίσῃς. Εἰσῆλθεν οὖν. Καὶ παρέβαλον αὐτῷ τινες τῶν Πατέρων, καὶ οὐκ εἶχεν εἰ μὴ ἓν μόνον λαγύνιον ὕδατος· καὶ ποιοῦντος αὐτοῦ μικρὸν φακὸν, ἀνηλώθη. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἐθλίβετο. Εισερχόμενος οὖν καὶ ἐξερχόμενος, ηὔχετο τῷ Θεῷ. Καὶ ἰδοὺ νεφέλη βροχῆς ἦλθε κατ᾿ αὐτῆς τῆς Πέτρας καὶ ἐγέμισεν ὅλα τὰ ἀγγεῖα αὐτοῦ. Καὶ λέγουσι μετὰ ταῦτα τῷ γέροντι Εἰπὲ ἡμῖν, τί εἰσήρχου καὶ ἐξήρχου. Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Δίκην ἐποίουν μετὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ ὅτι, Ἤνεγκάς με ὧδε, καὶ ἰδοὺ ὕδωρ οὐκ ἔχω ἵνα πίωσιν οἱ δοῦλοί σου. Διὰ τοῦτο εἰσηρχόμην καὶ ἐξηρχόμην παρακαλῶν τὸν Θεὸν, ἕως οὗ ἔπεμψεν ἡμῖν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Moses at Scetis that when he was about to go to Petra, he grew tired on the way and said to himself, “How can I gather my water here?” And a voice came to him, saying, “Go in, and do not worry about anything.” So he went in. And some of the Fathers visited him, and he had only one jar of water; and in cooking a few lentils, it was used up. The old man was distressed. So going in and out, he prayed to God. And look, a rain cloud came over Petra itself and filled all his vessels. And afterward they say to the old man, “Tell us why you were going in and out.” And the old man says to them, “I was arguing my case with God: ‘You brought me here, and look, I have no water for your servants to drink.’ That is why I was going in and out, entreating God until he sent us some.” ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 70.13 (PG 65:285–287; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-13). ## Moses 14 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-70-14 - Source: PG 65:287 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Die to your companion so as not to judge him. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μωϋσῆς ὅτι ὀφείλει ἄνθρωπος ἀποθανεῖν ἀπὸ τοῦ ἑταίρου αὐτοῦ, τοῦ μὴ κρίνειν αὐτὸν ἔν τινι. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Moses said that a man ought to die to his companion, so as not to judge him in anything. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 70.14 (PG 65:287; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-14). ## Moses 15 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-70-15 - Source: PG 65:287 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Die to every evil before death, so as to harm no one. ### Greek text Πάλιν εἶπεν ὅτι, Ὀφείλει ἄνθρωπος νεκρῶσαι ἑαυτὸν ἀπὸ παντὸς πονηροῦ πράγματος, πρὸ τοῦ ἐξελθεῖν ἀπὸ τοῦ σώματος, τοῦ μὴ κακῶσαί τινα ἄνθρωπον. ### English translation (Claude) He also said that a man ought to put himself to death to every evil thing before he leaves the body, so as not to harm any man. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 70.15 (PG 65:287; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-15). ## Moses 16 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-70-16 - Source: PG 65:287 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: God hears only one who knows himself a sinner and so does not see his neighbor’s sins. ### Greek text Εἶπε παλιν· Ἐὰν μὴ ἄνθρωπος ἔχῃ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ ὅτι ἁμαρτωλός ἐστιν, ὁ Θεὸς οὐκ εἰσακούει αὐτοῦ. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀδελφός· Τί ἐστιν, ἔχει ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ ὅτι ἁμαρτωλός ἐστιν; Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων ὅτι, Εἴ τις βαστάζει τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτοῦ, οὐ βλέπει τὰς τοῦ πλησίον αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Unless a man has it in his heart that he is a sinner, God does not hear him.” And the brother said, “What does it mean to have in one’s heart that one is a sinner?” And the old man said, “If someone carries his own sins, he does not see those of his neighbor.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 70.16 (PG 65:287; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-16). ## Moses 17 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-70-17 - Source: PG 65:287 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Prayer is vain unless one stops doing what one prays against. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἐὰν μὴ συμφωνήσῃ ἡ πρᾶξις μετὰ τῆς εὐχῆς, εἰς μάτην κοπιᾷ Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀδελφός Τί ἐστι, συμφώνησις πράξεως μετὰ εὐχῆς; Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων· Ἵνα ὑπὲρ ὧν εὐχόμεθα, μηκέτι ποιῶμεν αὐτά. Ὅταν γὰρ ἄνθρωπος ἀφῇ τὰ θελήματα αὐτοῦ, τότε καταλλάσσεται αὐτῷ ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ δέχεται τὴν εὐχὴν αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Unless conduct agrees with prayer, one labors in vain.” And the brother said, “What is the agreement of conduct with prayer?” And the old man said, “That we no longer do the things we pray about. For when a man gives up his own wills, then God is reconciled with him and accepts his prayer.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 70.17 (PG 65:287; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-17). ## Moses 18 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-70-18 - Source: PG 65:287–289 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Moses’ instructions: God helps, fasting humbles, weep in temptation, blame yourself, and above all do not judge your neighbor. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὅτι, Ἐν παντὶ κόπῳ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, τί ἐστι τὸ βοηθοῦν αὐτῷ; Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ὁ Θεός ἐστιν ὁ βοηθῶν. Γέγραπται γάρ· Ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν καταφυγὴ καὶ δύναμις, βοηθός ἐν θλίψεσι ταῖς εὑρούσαις ἡμᾶς σφόδρα. Εἶπεν ὁ ἀδελφός· Αἱ νηστεῖαι καὶ ἀγρυπνίαι ἃς ποιεῖ ἄνθρωπος, τί γίνονται; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Αὗται ποιοῦσι τὴν ψυχὴν ταπεινωθῆναι. Γέγραπται γάρ· Ἰδὲ τὴν ταπείνωσίν μου καὶ τὸν κόπον μου, καὶ ἄφες πάσας τὰς ἁμαρτίας μου. Ἐὰν ἡ ψυχὴ ποιήσῃ τοὺς καρποὺς τούτους, σπλαγχνίζεται ὁ Θεὸς ἐπ᾿ αὐτῇ δι᾿ αὐτῶν. Λέγει ὁ ἀδελφὸς τῷ γέροντι· Τί ποιήσει ἄνθρωπος ἐν παντὶ πειρασμῷ ἐπερχομένῳ ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ, ἢ ἐν παντὶ λογισμῷ τοῦ ἐχθροῦ; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Κλαίειν ὀφείλει ἐνώπιον τῆς ἀγαθότητος τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἵνα βοηθήσῃ αὐτῷ· καὶ ἀναπαύεται ταχέως, ὁ ἀββᾶς Μωϋσῆς τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι· καὶ ὁ φυλάττων αὐτὰ, ῥύεται ἀπὸ πάσης κολάσεως, καὶ ἀναπαύεται ἐὰν παρακαλῇ ἐν γνώσει· γέγραπται γάρ· Κύριος ἐμοὶ βοηθὸς, καὶ οὐ φοβηθήσομαι τί ποιήσει μοι ἄνθρωπος. Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὅτι, Ἰδοὺ ἄνθρωπος δέρει τὸν δοῦλον αὐτοῦ δι᾽ ἁμαρτίαν ἣν ἔπραξε. Τί ἐρεῖ ὁ δοῦλος; Λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ἐάν ἐστι δοῦλος καλὸς, ἐρεῖ· Ἐλέησόν με, ἡμάρτηκα. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφος· Οὐδὲν ἄλλο λέγει; Λέγει ὁ γέρων· Οὐχί. Αφ' οὗ γὰρ τὴν μέμψιν ἐπιτιθεῖ ἐφ᾽ ἑαυτῷ, καὶ εἴπῃ, Ἡμάρτηκα, εὐθέως σπλαγχνίζεται ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ. Τέλος δὲ τούτων πάντων, τὸ μὴ κρῖναι τὸν πλησίον. "Οτε γὰρ ἡ χεὶρ Κυρίου ἀπέκτεινε πᾶν πρωτότοκον ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτῳ, οὐκ ἦν οἶκος οὗ οὐκ ἦν ἐν αὐτῷ τεθνηκώς. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφός· Τίς ἐστιν ὁ λόγος οὗτος; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων ὅτι, Ἐὰν ἡμᾶς ἐάσωσιν ἰδεῖν τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν, οὐ μὴ ἴδωμεν τὰς ἁμαρτίας τοῦ πλησίον. Μωρία γάρ ἐστιν ἀνθρώπῳ, ἔχοντι τὸν ἑαυτοῦ νεκρὸν, ἀφεῖναι αὐτὸν καὶ ἀπελθεῖν κλαῦσαι τὸν τοῦ πλησίον. Τὸ ἀποθανεῖν δὲ ἀπὸ τοῦ πλησίον σου, τοῦτό ἐστι τὸ βαστάσαι σου τὰς ἁμαρτίας, καὶ ἀμεριμνεῖν ἀπὸ παντὸς ἀνθρώπου, ὅτι οὗτος καλός ἐστιν, ἢ οὗτος κακός. Μὴ ποιήσῃς κακὸν μηδενὶ ἀνθρώπῳ, μηδὲ λογίζου πονηρὸν ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου εἴς τινα· μηδὲ ἐξουδενώσῃς τινὰ ποιοῦντα κακόν μηδὲ πεισθῇς τῷ κακοποιοῦντι τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ, μηδὲ χαῖρε μετὰ τοῦ ποιοῦντος κακὸν τῷ πλησίον αὐτοῦ· μὴ καταλαλήσῃς τινά· ἀλλὰ λέγε· Ὁ Θεὸς γινώσκει ἕκαστον· μὴ συμπεισθῇς μετὰ τοῦ καταλαλοῦντος, μηδὲ συγχαρῇς μετὰ τῆς καταλαλιᾶς αὐτοῦ, μηδὲ μισήσῃς τὸν καταλαλοῦντα τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ. Καὶ τοῦτό ἐστι τὸ μὴ κρῖναι. Μὴ ἔχε ἔχθραν μετά τινος ἀνθρώπου, καὶ μὴ κρατήσῃς ἔχθραν ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου· μὴ μισήσῃς τὸν ἐχθραίνοντα μετὰ τοῦ πλησίον. Καὶ αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ εἰρήνη. Εν τούτοις ἑαυτὸν παρακάλει· πρὸς ὀλίγον χρόνον ὁ κάματος, καὶ εἰς ἀεὶ ἡ ἀνάπαυσις, χάριτι τοῦ Θεοῦ Λόγου. Αμήν. ### English translation (Claude) The brother asked, “In all a man’s toil, what is it that helps him?” And the old man says, “It is God who helps. For it is written, ‘God is our refuge and strength, a helper in the afflictions that have greatly come upon us.’” The brother said, “The fasts and vigils that a man does, what do they become?” The old man says to him, “They make the soul humbled. For it is written, ‘See my humiliation and my toil, and forgive all my sins.’ If the soul produces these fruits, God has compassion on it through them.” The brother says to the old man, “What shall a man do in every temptation that comes upon him, or in every thought of the enemy?” The old man says to him, “He ought to weep before the goodness of God, that he may help him; and he finds rest quickly … abba Moses to abba Poemen; and whoever keeps them is delivered from all punishment, and finds rest, if he entreats with knowledge; for it is written, ‘The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man will do to me.’” The brother asked, “Look, a man beats his slave for a sin he committed. What will the slave say?” The old man says, “If he is a good slave, he will say, ‘Have mercy on me, I have sinned.’” The brother says to him, “Does he say nothing else?” The old man says, “No. For as soon as he lays the blame on himself and says, ‘I have sinned,’ at once his master has compassion on him. And the end of all these things is not to judge one’s neighbor. For when the hand of the Lord killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, there was no house in which there was not one dead.” The brother says to him, “What does this saying mean?” The old man says to him, “If we were allowed to see our own sins, we would not see the sins of our neighbor. For it is folly for a man who has his own dead to leave him and go to weep for his neighbor’s. To die to your neighbor is this: to carry your own sins, and to take no thought about anyone, whether this one is good or that one bad. Do no evil to any man, and do not think evil in your heart against anyone; do not despise anyone who does evil, nor agree with one who does evil to his neighbor, nor rejoice with one who does evil to his neighbor; do not slander anyone, but say, ‘God knows each one’; do not agree with the slanderer, nor rejoice with his slander, nor hate the one who slanders his neighbor. And this is not judging. Have no enmity with any man, and do not keep enmity in your heart; do not hate the one who is at enmity with his neighbor. And this is peace. Encourage yourself with these things: the toil is for a short time, and the rest is forever, by the grace of God the Word. Amen.” ### Scripture references - Ps 46:1 (45:2 LXX): quotation, high confidence - Ps 25:18 (24:18 LXX): quotation, high confidence - Ps 118:6 (117:6 LXX): quotation, high confidence - Exod 12:30: allusion, high confidence - Matt 7:1: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - These are the instructions of abba Moses to abba Poemen; words are lost in the scan where the heading of this section (in other copies: “Abba Moses sent these to abba Poemen”) has run into the text (“…”). A variant note and stray letters are removed. Quotations of Ps 46:1 (LXX 45:2), Ps 25:18 (LXX 24:18), and Ps 118:6 (LXX 117:6); the firstborn: Exod 12:29–30. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 70.18 (PG 65:287–289; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-18). ## Matoes 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-71-1 - Source: PG 65:289 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Matoes prefers light, lasting discipline to hard, short-lived effort. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ματόης· Θέλω ἐργασίαν ἐλαφρὰν καὶ ἐμμένουσαν, ἢ ἐπίπονον ἐξ ἀρχῆς καὶ ταχέως ἐκκοπτομένην. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Matoes said, “I want a work that is light and lasting, rather than one that is laborious at the start and quickly broken off.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 71.1 (PG 65:289; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/71-1). ## Matoes 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-71-2 - Source: PG 65:289 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Nearness to God reveals one’s sinfulness, as with Isaiah. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ὅσον ἐγγίζει ἄνθρωπος τῷ Θεῷ, τοσοῦτον ἁμαρτωλὸν ἑαυτὸν βλέπει. Ἡσαΐας γὰρ ὁ προφήτης ἰδὼν τὸν Θεὸν τάλαν καὶ ἀκάθαρτον ἔλεγεν ἑαυτόν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “The nearer a man comes to God, the more he sees himself a sinner. For the prophet Isaiah, when he saw God, called himself wretched and unclean.” ### Scripture references - Isa 6:5: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Isa 6:5. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 71.2 (PG 65:289; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/71-2). ## Matoes 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-71-3 - Source: PG 65:289 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: In old age Matoes sees no good work in himself. ### Greek text Ἔλεγε πάλιν· Ὅτε ἤμην νεώτερος, ἔλεγον ἐν ἑαυτῷ ὅτι, Τάχα τί ποτε ἐργάζομαι ἀγαθόν· νῦν δὲ ὡς ἐγήρασα, βλέπω ὅτι οὐκ ἔχω ἓν ἔργον καλὸν ἐν ἐμαυτῷ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “When I was young, I said to myself, ‘Perhaps I am doing something good’; but now that I have grown old, I see that I have not one good work in me.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 71.3 (PG 65:289; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/71-3). ## Matoes 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-71-4 - Source: PG 65:289 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Satan sows all temptations and then feeds whichever the soul inclines to. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν Οὐκ οἶδεν ὁ Σατανᾶς ποίῳ πάθει ἡττᾶται ἡ ψυχή. Σπείρει μὲν, ἀλλ᾽ οὐκ οἶδεν εἰ θερίσει· τοὺς μὲν περὶ πορνείας, τοὺς δὲ περὶ καταλαλιᾶς λογισμοὺς, καὶ ὁμοίως τὰ λοιπὰ πάθη. Καὶ εἰς οἷον πάθος ἴδῃ τὴν ψυχὴν κλίνασαν, χορηγεῖ αὐτῇ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Satan does not know by which passion the soul is overcome. He sows, but he does not know whether he will reap: to some thoughts of sexual immorality, to others of slander, and likewise the other passions. And whatever passion he sees the soul inclining to, he supplies it with that.” ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 71.4 (PG 65:289; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/71-4). ## Matoes 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-71-5 - Source: PG 65:291 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Matoes confesses he does not yet love even his friends as himself; then (saying 6) he permits breaking a fast for a visitor. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς παρέβαλε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ματώῃ, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Πῶς οἱ Σκητιῶται ἐποίουν περισσότερον τῆς Γραφῆς, ἀγαπῶντες τοὺς ἐχθροὺς αὐτῶν ὑπὲρ ἑαυτοὺς; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ματώης· Ἐγὼ τέως τὸν ἀγαπῶντά με οὐκ ἀγαπῶ ὡς ἐμαυτόν. σ'. Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ματώην· Τί ποιήσω ἐὰν παραβάλῃ μοι ἀδελφὸς, καὶ ἔστι νηστεία ἢ πρωΐ; ὅτι θλίβομαι. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἐὰν μὲν οὐ θλίβῃ, καὶ φάγῃς μετὰ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ, καλῶς ποιεῖς. Ἐὰν δὲ μὴ προσδοκᾷς τινα, καὶ φάγῃς, τοῦτο σὸν θέλημά ἐστιν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother visited abba Matoes and says to him, “How did the monks of Scetis do more than the Scripture, loving their enemies more than themselves?” Abba Matoes says to him, “As for me, I do not yet love even the one who loves me as myself.” [6] A brother asked abba Matoes, “What shall I do if a brother visits me and it is a fast day or early morning? For I am troubled.” And the old man says to him, “If you are not troubled and eat with the brother, you do well. But if you are not expecting anyone and you eat, that is your own will.” ### Scripture references - Matt 5:44: echo, medium confidence - Matt 22:39: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The scan runs Matoes 6 (its numeral misread as σʹ) into this saying; marked [6]. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 71.5 (PG 65:291; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/71-5). ## Matoes 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-71-7 - Source: PG 65:291 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Matoes, praised by abba John, says perfection is honoring one’s neighbor above oneself. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰακὼβ ὅτι, Παρέβαλον τῷ ἀββᾷ Ματώῃ· καὶ ἀνακάμψαντός μου, εἶπον αὐτῷ ὅτι, Θέλω παραβαλεῖν εἰς τὰ Κελλία. Καὶ εἶπέ μοι· Ἄσπασαι ἐξ ἐμοῦ τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰωάννην. Ἐλθὼν δὲ ἐγὼ πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰωάννην, λέγω αὐτῷ· Ἀσπάζεταί σε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ματώης. Καὶ λέγει μοι ὁ γέρων· Ἰδοὺ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ματώης, ἀληθῶς Ἰσραηλίτης, ἐν ᾧ δόλος οὐκ ἔστι. Καὶ πληρωθέντος ἐνιαυτοῦ, πάλιν παρέβαλον τῷ ἀββᾷ Ματόῃ· καὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ τὸν ἀσπασμὸν τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰωάννου. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Οὐκ εἰμὶ μὲν ἄξιος τοῦ λόγου τοῦ γέροντος πλὴν τοῦτο γίνωσκε, ὅτι ὅταν ἀκούσῃς γέροντος τὸν πλησίον δοξάζοντος ὑπὲρ ἑαυτὸν, εἰς μέτρα μεγάλα ἔφθασεν. Αὕτη γὰρ ἐστιν ἡ τελειότης, ὥστε τὸν πλησίον ἑαυτοῦ δοξάζειν ὑπὲρ ἑαυτόν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba James said, “I visited abba Matoes; and as I was leaving, I said to him, ‘I want to visit the Cells.’ And he said to me, ‘Greet abba John for me.’ When I came to abba John, I say to him, ‘Abba Matoes greets you.’ And the old man says to me, ‘Look, abba Matoes is truly an Israelite in whom there is no guile.’ When a year had passed, I visited abba Matoes again and told him abba John’s greeting. And the old man says, ‘I am not worthy of the old man’s word; but know this, that when you hear an old man glorifying his neighbor above himself, he has reached great measures. For this is perfection: to glorify one’s neighbor above oneself.’” ### Scripture references - John 1:47: quotation, high confidence - Phil 2:3: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of John 1:47. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 71.7 (PG 65:291; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/71-7). ## Matoes 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-71-8 - Source: PG 65:291 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Matoes judges sexual sin worse than slander, since slander is quickly repented. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ματώης ὅτι, Ἦλθεν ἀδελφὸς πρὸς μὲ, καὶ εἶπέ μοι, ὅτι ἡ καταλαλιὰ χεῖρόν ἐστι τῆς πορνείας. Καὶ εἶπον· Σκληρός ἐστιν ὁ λόγος. Λέγει οὖν μοι· Καὶ πῶς θέλεις εἶναι τὸ πρᾶγμα τοῦτο; Ἐγὼ δὲ ἔφην· Ἡ μὲν καταλαλιὰ κακὴ ἐστιν· ταχεῖαν δὲ ἔχει θεραπείαν· μετανοεῖ γὰρ πολλάκις ὁ καταλαλήσας, λέγων· Κακῶς ἐλάλησα. Ἡ δὲ πορνεία, φυσικὸς θάνατός ἐστιν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Matoes said, “A brother came to me and told me that slander is worse than sexual immorality. And I said, ‘That is a hard saying.’ So he says to me, ‘And how do you want the matter to be?’ And I said, ‘Slander is evil, but it has a quick cure; for the one who has slandered often repents, saying, “I spoke wrongly.” But sexual immorality is natural death.’” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 71.8 (PG 65:291; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/71-8). ## Matoes 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-71-9 - Source: PG 65:291–293 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Matoes and his brother, ordained presbyters against their will, never celebrated the Eucharist, holding ordination to be for the blameless. ### Greek text Ἀπῆλθέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ματώης ἀπὸ τῆς Ῥαιθοῦ, εἰς τὰ μέρη Μαγδολῶν ἦν δὲ ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ. Καὶ κρατήσας ὁ ἐπίσκοπος τὸν γέροντα, ἐποίησεν αὐτὸν πρεσβύτερον. Καὶ γενομένων αὐτῶν ὁμοῦ, ἔλεγεν ὁ ἐπίσκοπος· Συγχώρησόν μοι, ἀββᾶ· οἶδα ὅτι οὐκ ἤθελες τὸ πρᾶγμα τοῦτο· ἀλλὰ διὰ τὸ εὐλογηθῆναι με παρὰ σοῦ, ἐτόλμησα τοῦτο ποιῆσαι. Εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων μετὰ ταπεινώσεως· Καὶ ὁ λογισμός μου μικρὸν ἤθελεν· πλὴν εἰς τοῦτο ἐγὼ κοπιῶ, ὅτι χωρισθῆναι ἔχω ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ τοῦ μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ. Οὐ βαστάζω γάρ ὅλας τὰς εὐχὰς ποιῆσαι μόνος. Καὶ λέγει ὁ ἐπίσκοπος· Εἰ οἶδας ὅτι ἄξιός ἐστιν, ἐγὼ αὐτὸν χειροτονῶ. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ματώης· Εἰ μὲν ἄξιός ἐστιν, οὐκ οἶδα· ἓν δὲ οἶδα, ὅτι ἐμοῦ καλλίων ἐστίν. Ἐχειροτόνησε δὲ καὶ αὐτόν. Καὶ ἐκοιμήθησαν οἱ ἀμφότεροι, μὴ ἐγγίσαντες θυσιαστηρίῳ ἕνεκεν τοῦ ποιῆσαι προσφοράν. Ἔλεγε δὲ ὁ γέρων Πιστεύω εἰς τὸν Θεὸν, ὅτι οὐκ ἔχω κρίμα πολὺ διὰ τὴν χειροτονίαν, ὁπότε οὐ ποιῶ προσφοράν. Τῶν γὰρ ἀμέμπτων ἐστὶν ἡ χειροτονία. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Matoes went from Raithou to the region of Magdolos; and his brother was with him. And the bishop seized the old man and made him a presbyter. And when they were together, the bishop said, “Forgive me, abba; I know that you did not want this; but I dared to do it so as to be blessed by you.” The old man said to him with humility, “My thought did want it a little; but this is what troubles me: that I am to be separated from the brother who is with me. For I cannot bear to say all the prayers alone.” And the bishop says, “If you know that he is worthy, I will ordain him.” Abba Matoes says to him, “Whether he is worthy, I do not know; but one thing I know, that he is better than I.” And he ordained him too. And they both fell asleep without ever approaching the altar to make the offering. And the old man said, “I trust in God that I do not have great judgment because of the ordination, since I do not make the offering. For ordination belongs to the blameless.” ### Scripture references - 1 Tim 3:2: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. “Making the offering” is celebrating the Eucharist. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 71.9 (PG 65:291–293; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/71-9). ## Matoes 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-71-10 - Source: PG 65:293 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Paphnutius counsels loving affliction, dishonor, and giving over rest, glory, and receiving. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ματόης ὅτι, Τρεῖς γέροντες ἀπῆλθον πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Παφνούτιον τὸν λεγόμενον Κεφαλᾶν, ἵνα ἐρωτήσωσιν αὐτὸν λόγον. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Τί θέλετε εἴπω ὑμῖν; Πνευματικὸν ἢ σωματικόν; Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Πνευματικόν. Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Ὑπάγετε, ἀγαπήσατε τὴν θλίψιν ὑπὲρ τὴν ἀνάπαυσιν, καὶ τὴν ἀτιμίαν πλέον τῆς δόξης, καὶ τὸ διδόναι μᾶλλον ἢ λαμβάνειν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Matoes said, “Three old men went to abba Paphnutius, called Cephalas, to ask him for a word. And the old man said to them, ‘What do you want me to tell you? Something spiritual or bodily?’ They say to him, ‘Spiritual.’ The old man says to them, ‘Go, love affliction more than rest, and dishonor more than glory, and giving rather than receiving.’” ### Scripture references - Acts 20:35: echo, medium confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 71.10 (PG 65:293; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/71-10). ## Matoes 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-71-11 - Source: PG 65:293 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Matoes gives a rule of humility, warning against intimacy with boys, women, and heretics and against quarreling. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ἀδελφὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ματώην, λέγων· Εἰπέ μοι ῥῆμα. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ὕπαγε, παρακάλεσον τὸν Θεὸν, ἵνα δώσει πένθος εἰς τὴν καρδίαν σου, καὶ ταπείνωσιν· καὶ πρόσεχε πάντοτε τὰς ἁμαρτίας σου· καὶ μὴ κρῖνε ἄλλους, ἀλλὰ γενοῦ ὑποκάτω πάντων· καὶ μὴ ἔχε φιλίαν μετὰ παιδίου, μήτε γνῶσιν μετὰ γυναικὸς, μήτε φίλον αἱρετικόν καὶ κόψον τὴν παρρησίαν ἀπὸ σοῦ· καὶ κράτει τὴν γλῶσσαν καὶ τὴν κοιλίαν σου, καὶ ἀπὸ οἴνου μικρόν· καὶ ἐάν τις λαλήσῃ περὶ πράγματος οἱουδήποτε, μὴ φιλονείκει μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ· ἀλλ᾽ ἐὰν καλῶς λέγῃ, εἰπέ Ναί ἐὰν δὲ κακῶς, εἰπέ· Σὺ οἶδας πῶς λαλεῖς· καὶ μὴ ἔριζε μετ' αὐτοῦ περὶ ὧν ἐλάλησε. Καὶ αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ ταπείνωσις. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Matoes, saying, “Tell me a word.” He said to him, “Go, ask God to put mourning and humility in your heart; and always attend to your sins; and do not judge others, but be beneath everyone; and have no friendship with a boy, nor acquaintance with a woman, nor a heretic as a friend; and cut off freedom of speech from yourself; and control your tongue and your belly, and take only a little wine; and if someone speaks about any matter, do not quarrel with him; but if he speaks well, say ‘Yes’; and if badly, say, ‘You know how you are speaking’; and do not dispute with him about what he said. And this is humility.” ### Translation notes - The warnings against friendship with boys and acquaintance with women concern sexual temptation; translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 71.11 (PG 65:293; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/71-11). ## Matoes 12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-71-12 - Source: PG 65:293 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Cut off contention and mourn, for the time is near. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ἀδελφὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ματώην· Εἰπέ μοι ῥῆμα. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Πᾶσαν φιλονεικίαν ἀπὸ παντὸς πράγματος κόψον ἀπὸ σοῦ· κλαῦσον δὲ καὶ πένθησον, ὅτι ὁ καιρὸς ἤγγισεν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Matoes, “Tell me a word.” And he said to him, “Cut off from yourself all contentiousness in every matter; and weep and mourn, for the time has drawn near.” ### Scripture references - Rev 1:3: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 71.12 (PG 65:293; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/71-12). ## Matoes 13 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-71-13 - Source: PG 65:293 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Matoes says one who cannot control his tongue should live alone; monks in community must be round, not square. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ματόην, λέγων· Τί ποιήσω; ὅτι ἡ γλῶσσά μου θλίβει με· καὶ ὅταν ἔρχωμαι ἐν μέσῳ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, οὐ δύναμαι κατασχεῖν αὐτὴν· ἀλλὰ κατακρίνω αὐτοὺς ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ, καὶ ἐλέγχω αὐτούς. Τί οὖν ποιήσω; Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ γέρων εἶπεν· Εἰ οὐ δύνασαι κατέχειν ἑαυτὸν, φύγε καταμόνας. Ἀσθένεια γάρ ἐστιν. Ὁ δὲ καθήμενος μετὰ ἀδελφῶν, οὐκ ὀφείλει εἶναι τετραγωνιαῖος, ἀλλὰ στρογγύλος, ἵνα πρὸς πάντας κυλίηται. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων· Οὐ κατὰ ἀρετὴν κάθημαι καταμόνας, ἀλλὰ κατὰ ἀσθένειαν· δυνατοὶ γάρ εἰσιν, οἱ ἐρχόμενοι εἰς τὸ μέσον τῶν ἀνθρώπων. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Matoes, saying, “What shall I do? My tongue afflicts me; and when I come among people, I cannot control it, but I condemn them in every good work and rebuke them. So what shall I do?” And the old man answered, “If you cannot control yourself, flee to solitude. For it is a weakness. One who lives with brothers ought not to be square, but round, so as to roll toward everyone.” And the old man said, “It is not by virtue that I live alone, but by weakness; for those who go among people are the strong ones.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 71.13 (PG 65:293; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/71-13). ## Mark, disciple of Silvanus (unnumbered opening text) - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-72-0 - Source: PG 65:293 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The end of the printed heading of the section on Mark, disciple of abba Silvanus. ### Greek text Σιλουανοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) [… of Silvanus.] ### Translation notes - This word belongs to the printed heading (“On Mark, the disciple of abba Silvanus”). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 72.0 (PG 65:293; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/72-0). ## Mark, disciple of Silvanus 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-72-1 - Source: PG 65:293–295 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Silvanus shows that his favorite, Mark, obeyed so promptly that he left a letter half written. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σιλουανοῦ, ὅτι εἶχε μαθητὴν ἐν Σκήτει, Μάρκον ὀνόματι· ἦν δὲ ἔχων ὑπακοὴν μεγάλην, καὶ ἦν καλλιγράφος Ἠγάπα δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ γέρων διὰ τὴν ὑπακοὴν αὐτοῦ. Εἶχε δὲ ἄλλους ἕνδεκα μαθητὰς, καὶ ἐθλίβοντο, ὅτι ἡγάπα αὐτὸν ὑπὲρ αὐτούς. Καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ γέροντες, ἐλυπήθησαν. Ἦλθον δὲ ἐν μιᾷ πρὸς αὐτὸν οἱ γέροντες, καὶ ἐνεκάλουν αὐτόν Λαβὼν δὲ αὐτοὺς ἐξῆλθε, καὶ ἔκρουσε κατὰ κελλίον, λέγων· Ὁ δεῖνα ἀδελφὲ, δεῦρο, ὅτι χρήζω σου. Καὶ εἷς ἐξ αὐτῶν, οὐκ ἠκολούθησεν αὐτῷ εὐθύς. Καὶ ἐλθὼν ἐπὶ τὴν κέλλαν Μάρκου, ἔκρουσε, λέγων· Μάρκε. Ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ γέροντος, εὐθὺς ἐπήδησεν ἔξω· καὶ ἔπεμψεν αὐτὸν εἰς διακονίαν. Καὶ λέγει τοῖς γέρουσι· Ποῦ εἰσὶν οἱ λοιποὶ ἀδελφοὶ, Πατέρες; Καὶ εἰσελθὼν εἰς τὴν κέλλαν αὐτοῦ, ἐψηλάφησε τὸ τετράδιον αὐτοῦ· καὶ εὖρεν ὅτι ω ἔβαλε χεῖρα ποιεῖν καὶ ἀκούσας τοῦ γέροντος, οὐκ ἔστρεψε τὸν κάλαμον πληρῶσαι αὐτό. Λέγουσιν οὖν οἱ γέροντες· Ὄντως ὃν σὺ ἀγαπᾶς, ἀββᾶ, καὶ ἡμεῖς αὐτὸν ἀγαπῶμεν, καὶ ὁ Θεὸς αὐτὸν ἀγαπᾷ. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Silvanus that he had a disciple at Scetis named Mark; he had great obedience, and he was a scribe. The old man loved him because of his obedience. He had eleven other disciples, and they were aggrieved that he loved him more than them. And the old men heard and were grieved. One day the old men came to him and reproached him. Taking them, he went out and knocked at each cell, saying, “Brother so-and-so, come, I need you.” And not one of them followed him at once. And coming to Mark’s cell, he knocked, saying, “Mark.” And hearing the old man’s voice, he at once jumped outside; and he sent him on an errand. And he says to the old men, “Where are the other brothers, Fathers?” And going into his cell, he picked up his quire, and found that he had begun to make the letter omega, and hearing the old man he had not turned the pen to finish it. So the old men say, “Truly, abba, the one you love we too love, and God loves him.” ### Translation notes - A stray word from Migne’s notes is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 72.1 (PG 65:293–295; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/72-1). ## Mark, disciple of Silvanus 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-72-2 - Source: PG 65:295 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Mark agrees without question when Silvanus calls a wild boar a horned buffalo. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σιλουανοῦ, ὅτι ποτὲ περιπατῶν ἐν τῇ Σκήτει μετὰ τῶν γερόντων, καὶ θέλων αὐτοῖς τὴν ὑπακοὴν τοῦ μαθητοῦ αὐτοῦ Μάρκου δεῖξαι, καὶ δι᾽ ὁ ἀγαπᾷ αὐτὸν, θεωρήσας μικρὸν σύαγρον, λέγει αὐτῷ· Θεωρεῖς τὸ μικρὸν βουβάλιον ἐκεῖνο, τέκνον; Λέγει αὐτῷ· Ναὶ, ἀββᾶ. Καὶ τὰ κέρατα αὐτοῦ πῶς πιθανά εἰσιν; Λέγει· Ναὶ, ἀββᾶ. Καὶ ἐθαύμασαν οἱ γέροντες τὴν ἀπόκρισιν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ᾠκοδομήθησαν ἐν τῇ ὑπακοῇ αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Silvanus that once, walking at Scetis with the old men and wanting to show them the obedience of his disciple Mark, and why he loved him, he saw a little wild boar and says to him, “Do you see that little buffalo, child?” He says to him, “Yes, abba.” “And how handsome its horns are?” He says, “Yes, abba.” And the old men marveled at his answer and were edified by his obedience. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 72.2 (PG 65:295; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/72-2). ## Mark, disciple of Silvanus 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-72-3 - Source: PG 65:295 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Mark obeys the order to see his mother but keeps his eyes shut, and she does not recognize him. ### Greek text Κατῆλθέ ποτε ἡ μήτηρ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μάρκου ἰδεῖν αὐτόν· καὶ εἶχε πολλὴν φαντασίαν. Καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ γέρων πρὸς αὐτήν. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, εἰπὲ τὸν υἱόν μου ἐξελθεῖν, ἵνα ἴδω αὐτόν. Εἰσελθὼν δὲ ὁ γέρων, εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἔξελθε, ἵνα σε ἴδῃ ἡ μήτηρ σου. Ἦν δὲ φορῶν κεντονάριον, καὶ ἠσβολωμένος ἀπὸ τοῦ μαγειρείου. Καὶ ἐξελθὼν διὰ τὴν ὑπακοὴν, ἐκάμμυσε τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Σωθείητε, σωθείητε, σωθείητε· καὶ οὐκ εἶδεν αὐτούς. Ἡ δὲ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐγνώρισεν αὐτόν Πάλιν οὖν πέμπει πρὸς τὸν γέροντα, λέγουσα· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, πέμψον μοι τὸν υἱὸν μου, ἵνα αὐτὸν ἴδω. Καὶ εἶπε τῷ Μάρκῳ· Οὐκ εἶπόν σοι· Ἔξελθε, ἵνα σε ἴδῃ ἡ μήτηρ σου Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Μάρκος· Ἐξῆλθον κατὰ τὸν λόγον σου, ἀββᾶ. Πλὴν παρακαλῶ σε, μὴ εἴπῃς μοι ἄλλο ἅπαξ· ἐξελθεῖν, ἵνα μὴ παρακούσω σου. Καὶ ἐξελθὼν ὁ γέρων εἶπεν αὐτῇ· Αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ ἀπαντήσας ὑμῖν, λέγων· Σωθείητε. Καὶ παρακαλέσας αὐτὴν ἀπέλυσεν. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Mark’s mother came down to see him, with great pomp. And the old man went out to her. And she said to him, “Abba, tell my son to come out, so that I may see him.” The old man went in and said to him, “Go out, so that your mother may see you.” He was wearing a patchwork garment and was blackened with soot from the kitchen. And going out out of obedience, he closed his eyes and said to them, “Greetings, greetings, greetings”; and he did not see them. And his mother did not recognize him. So she sends again to the old man, saying, “Abba, send me my son, so that I may see him.” And he said to Mark, “Did I not tell you, ‘Go out, so that your mother may see you’?” And Mark said to him, “I went out according to your word, abba. But I beg you, do not tell me to go out again, lest I disobey you.” And the old man went out and said to her, “He is the one who met you, saying, ‘Greetings.’” And comforting her he sent her away. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 72.3 (PG 65:295; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/72-3). ## Mark, disciple of Silvanus 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-72-4 - Source: PG 65:295 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sent to visit his mother, Mark weeps at leaving Silvanus and does not go. ### Greek text "Αλλοτε συνέβη αὐτὸν ἐξελθεῖν ἀπὸ Σκήτεως, καὶ ἀπελθεῖν εἰς τὸ ὄρος τὸ Σινὰ, καὶ μεῖναι ἐκεῖ. Καὶ ἔπεμψεν ἡ μήτηρ τοῦ Μάρκου ὀρκίζουσα αὐτὸν μετὰ δακρύων, ἵνα ἐξέλθῃ ὁ υἱὸς αὐτῆς, καὶ ἴδῃ αὐτόν. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἀπέλυσεν αὐτόν. Καὶ ὡς ἐποίει τὴν μηλωτὴν αὐτοῦ τοῦ ἐξελθεῖν, καὶ ἤρχετο ἀσπάσασθαι τὸν γέροντα, εὐθέως ἔβαλλε κλαίειν, καὶ οὐκ ἐξήρχετο. ### English translation (Claude) Another time it happened that he left Scetis and went to Mount Sinai and stayed there. And Mark’s mother sent, adjuring him with tears to let her son come out so that she might see him. And the old man let him go. And as he was preparing his sheepskin to go out, and came to greet the old man, he at once began to weep, and did not go out. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 72.4 (PG 65:295; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/72-4). ## Mark, disciple of Silvanus 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-72-5 - Source: PG 65:295 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Mark asks Silvanus to stay three days, and on the third day Mark dies in peace. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σιλουανοῦ, ὅτι ὡς ἤθελεν ἐξελθεῖν εἰς Συρίαν, εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ Μάρκος· Πάτερ, οὐ θέλω ἐξελθεῖν ἔνθεν· ἀλλ᾽ οὐδὲ σὲ ἀφῶ ἐξελθεῖν, ἀββᾶ. Ἀλλὰ παράμεινον ὧδε τρεῖς ἡμέρας. Καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκοιμήθη ἐν εἰρήνῃ. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Silvanus that when he wanted to go to Syria, his disciple Mark said to him, “Father, I do not want to leave here; and I will not let you leave either, abba. But stay here three days.” And on the third day he fell asleep in peace. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 72.5 (PG 65:295; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/72-5). ## Milesius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-73-1 - Source: PG 65:297 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Milesius raises a murdered man who clears a falsely accused monk and names the real killer. ### Greek text Παρερχόμενος ὁ ἀββᾶς Μιλήσιος διά τινος τόπου, εἶδέ τινα μοναχὸν κρατούμενον ὑπό τινος, ὡς φόνον ποιήσαντα. Καὶ προσεγγίσας ὁ γέρων, ἐπερώτησε τὸν ἀδελφόν. Καὶ μαθὼν ὅτι συκοφαντεῖται, λέγει πρὸς τοὺς κατέχοντας αὐτόν· Ποῦ ἔστιν ὁ φονευθείς; Καὶ ἔδειξαν αὐτῷ. Καὶ προσεγγίσας τῷ φονευθέντι, εἶπε πᾶσι προσεύξασθαι. Αὐτοῦ δὲ ἐκπετάσαντος τὰς χεῖρας πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, ἀνέστη ὁ νεκρός. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἐπὶ πάντων Εἰπὲ ἡμῖν τίς ἐστιν ὁ φονεύσας σε. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν, ὅτι Εἰσελθὼν εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, δέδωκα χρήματα τῷ πρεσβυτέρῳ· ὁ δὲ ἀναστὰς, ἔσφαξέ με· καὶ ἀπενέγκας, ἔῤῥιψεν εἰς τὸ μοναστήριον τοῦ ἀββᾶ. Ἀλλὰ παρακαλῶ ὑμᾶς, ληφθῆναι τὰ χρήματα, καὶ δοθῆναι τοῖς τέκνοις μου. Τότε εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ γέρων· Ἄ̓́πελθε, καὶ κοιμῶ, ἕως ἂν ἔλθῃ ὁ Κύριος, καὶ ἐγείρῃ σε. ### English translation (Claude) As abba Milesius was passing through a certain place, he saw a monk held by someone as having committed a murder. And the old man came near and questioned the brother. And learning that he was falsely accused, he says to those holding him, “Where is the murdered man?” And they showed him. And coming near the murdered man, he told everyone to pray. And as he stretched out his hands to God, the dead man rose. And he said to him before everyone, “Tell us who killed you.” And he said, “I went into the church and gave money to the presbyter; and he got up and slaughtered me; and carrying me off, he threw me into the abba’s monastery. But I beg you, let the money be taken and given to my children.” Then the old man said to him, “Go and sleep until the Lord comes and raises you.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 73.1 (PG 65:297; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/73-1). ## Milesius 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-73-2 - Source: PG 65:297 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Milesius and his disciples are martyred by Persian princes, who die by each other’s arrows as he foretold. ### Greek text Ἄλλοτε οἰκοῦντος αὐτοῦ μετὰ δύο μαθητῶν ἐν τοῖς ὁρίοις Περσίδος, ἐξῆλθον δύο υἱοὶ τοῦ βασιλέως σαρκικοὶ ἀδελφοὶ, ἀγρεῦσαι κατὰ τὸ ἔθος. Ἔβαλον δὲ λίνα ἐπὶ πολὺ διάστημα κἂν ἐπὶ τεσσαράκοντα μίλια· ὥστε εἰ εὑρίσκεται ἔσω τῶν λίνων, ἀγρεύσωσι καὶ ἀποκτείνωσι κόντοις. Εὑρέθη δὲ ὁ γέρων μετὰ τῶν δύο μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ. Καὶ θεασάμενοι αὐτὸν τριχώδη καὶ ὡς ἄγριον, ἐξεπλάγησαν, καὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ· Ἄνθρωπος εἶ ἢ πνεῦμα, εἰπὲ ἡμῖν. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἄνθρωπός εἰμι ἁμαρτωλός· καὶ ἐξῆλθον κλαῦσαι τὰς ἁμαρτίας μου· καὶ προσκυνῶ Ἰησοῦν τὸν Χριστὸν τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντος. Οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ· Οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλος Θεὸς, πλὴν τοῦ ἡλίου καὶ τοῦ πυρὸς καὶ τοῦ ὕδατος· ἃ ἐσέβοντο. Ἀλλὰ πρόσελθε, καὶ ἐπίθυσον αὐτοῖς. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ταῦτα κτίσματά εἰσι, καὶ πλανᾶσθε· ἀλλὰ παρακαλῶ ὑμᾶς ἐπιστρέψαι καὶ γνῶναι τὸν ἀληθινὸν Θεὸν τὸν κτίσαντα ταῦτα πάντα. Αὐτοὶ δὲ εἶπον· Τὸν κατακριθέντα καὶ σταυρωθέντα λέγεις Θεὸν εἶναι ἀληθινόν; Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Τὸν σταυρώσαντα τὴν ἁμαρτίαν, καὶ ἀποκτείναντα τὸν θάνατον, αὐτὸν λέγω εἶναι Θεὸν ἀληθινόν. Αὐτοὶ δὲ βασανίζοντες αὐτὸν μετὰ καὶ τῶν ἀδελφῶν, ἡνάγκαζον θύειν. Καὶ πολλὰ βασανίσαντες, ἀπεκεφάλισαν τοὺς δύο ἀδελφούς· τὸν δὲ γέροντα ἐπὶ πολλὰς ἡμέρας ἐβασάνιζον· ὕστερον δὲ, τῇ τέχνῃ αὐτῶν ἔστησαν αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ μέσον, καὶ ἔῤῥιψαν βέλη, ὁ εἷς ἔμπροσθεν, καὶ ὁ εἷς ὄπισθεν αὐτοῦ. Αὐτὸς δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Ἐπειδὴ γεγόνατε ἐν ὁμονοίᾳ, καὶ ἐκχέετε αἷμα ἀθῶον, ἐν μιᾷ ῥοπῇ αὔριον ταύτῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ, ἀτεκνωθείη ἡ μήτηρ ὑμῶν ἀφ᾽ ὑμῶν, καὶ στερηθείη τῆς ἀγάπης ὑμῶν, καὶ τοῖς ἰδίοις βέλεσιν ἀλλήλων τὰ αἵματα ἐκχέητε. Καταφρονήσαντες δὲ τοῦ ῥήματος αὐτοῦ, ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὴν αὔριον θηρεῦσαι. Καὶ ἐξήλισεν ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν μία ἔλαφος. Καὶ καθίσαντες τοῖς ἴπποις, κατέδραμον ἐπὶ τὸ καταλαβεῖν αὐτήν· καὶ ῥίψαντες βέλη κατ᾿ αὐτῆς, ἐκόλλησαν ἀλλήλοις κατὰ τῆς καρδίας ἑαυτῶν· κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦ γέροντος ὁ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, καταρώμενος αὐτοῖς. Καὶ ἀπέθανον. ### English translation (Claude) Another time, when he was living with two disciples on the borders of Persia, two sons of the king, brothers according to the flesh, went out to hunt as was their custom. They spread nets over a great distance, even forty miles, so that whatever was found inside the nets they might hunt and kill with spears. The old man was found with his two disciples. And seeing him hairy and like a wild man, they were astonished, and said to him, “Tell us, are you a man or a spirit?” And he said to them, “I am a sinful man; and I came out to weep for my sins; and I worship Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.” They said to him, “There is no other god but the sun and the fire and the water” (which they worshiped). “But come and sacrifice to them.” He said to them, “These are creatures, and you are going astray; but I beg you to turn and know the true God who created all these things.” They said, “Do you say that one who was condemned and crucified is the true God?” And the old man says, “The one who crucified sin and killed death, him I say to be the true God.” They tortured him together with the brothers, trying to force them to sacrifice. And after much torture they beheaded the two brothers; but the old man they tortured for many days; and at last, as a display of their skill, they stood him in the middle and shot arrows, one in front of him and the other behind. He said to them, “Since you have agreed together and are shedding innocent blood, in one moment tomorrow at this hour may your mother be childless of you and deprived of your love, and may you shed each other’s blood with your own arrows.” Despising his word, they went out the next day to hunt. And a deer sprang away from them. And mounting their horses, they rode to catch it; and shooting arrows at it, they struck each other in the heart, according to the word of the old man which he spoke, cursing them. And they died. ### Scripture references - Matt 16:16: echo, low confidence - Rom 8:3: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The Persians are described as worshiping sun, fire, and water (Zoroastrian practice). The old man’s curse and its fulfillment are translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 73.2 (PG 65:297; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/73-2). ## Motius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-74-1 - Source: PG 65:299 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Motius counsels a new monk to avoid singular practices and live like everyone else. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Μώτιον λέγων· Ἐὰν ἀπέλθω μεῖναι εἰς τόπον, πῶς θέλεις διάξω ἐκεῖ; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἐὰν οἰκήσῃς εἰς τόπον, μὴ θελήσῃς ἐκβαλεῖν σεαυτῷ ὄνομα ἔν τινι, ὅτι οὐκ ἐξέρχομαι εἰς σύναξιν, ἢ εἰς ἀγάπην οὐκ ἐσθίω. Ταῦτα γὰρ ὄνομα ποιοῦσι κενὸν, καὶ ὕστερον εὑρίσκεις ὄχλησιν. Οἱ γὰρ ἄνθρωποι, ὅπου εὑρίσκουσι ταῦτα, ἐκεῖ τρέχουσι. Λέγει οὖν αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφός· Τί οὖν ποιήσω; Λέγει ὁ γέρων· ὅπου ἐὰν καθίσῃς, ἴσως μετὰ πάντων ἀκολούθει· καὶ εἴ τι βλέπεις τοὺς εὐλαβεῖς ποιοῦντας εἰς οὓς πληροφορῇ, ποίησον, καὶ ἀναπαύῃ. Τοῦτο γὰρ ταπείνωσίς ἐστι, τὸ εἶναί σε ἐπίσης αὐτῶν. Καὶ οἱ ἄνθρωποι θεωροῦντές σε ὁ ἐκβαίνοντα, ἔχουσί σε ἐπίσης πάντων· καὶ οὐδείς σοι ὀχλεῖ. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Motius, saying, “If I go to live in a place, how do you want me to live there?” The old man says to him, “If you live in a place, do not seek to make yourself a name in anything, such as ‘I do not go out to the synaxis,’ or ‘I do not eat at the love-feast.’ For these things make an empty name, and afterward you find trouble. For people run to wherever they find these things.” So the brother says to him, “Then what shall I do?” The old man says, “Wherever you live, follow the common way with everyone; and whatever you see the devout doing, in whom you have confidence, do it, and you will be at rest. For this is humility: to be on a level with them. And when people see you not going beyond, they will hold you to be like everyone; and no one will trouble you.” ### Translation notes - The words translated “not going beyond” are corrupt in the scan (ὁ ἐκβαίνοντα); translated by sense. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 74.1 (PG 65:299; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/74-1). ## Motius 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-74-2 - Source: PG 65:299 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Motius breaks down his door for joy to welcome the brother who had wronged him, and returns to his monastery. ### Greek text Διηγήσατο περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μωτίου ὁ μαθητής αὐτοῦ ἀββᾶς Ἰσαάκ· ἀμφότεροι δὲ ἐγένοντο ἐπίσκοποι· ὅτι πρῶτος ᾠκοδόμησε μοναστήριον ὁ γέρων εἰς τὸν Ἡρακλᾶν· καὶ ὡς ἀνεχώρησεν ἐκεῖθεν, ἀπῆλθεν εἰς ἕτερον τόπον, καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν ἐκεῖ πάλιν. Καὶ κατ' ἐνέργειαν τοῦ διαβόλου, εὑρέθη ἀδελφός τις ἐχθραίνων αὐτῷ, καὶ θλίβων αὐτόν. Καὶ ἀναστὰς ὁ γέρων ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν κώμην· καὶ ἐποίησεν ἑαυτῷ μοναστήριον, καὶ ἐνέκλεισεν ἑαυτόν. Καὶ μετὰ χρόνον ἦλθον οἱ γέροντες τοῦ τόπου ὅθεν ἐξῆλθε, καὶ λαβόντες καὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν ὅπου εἶχε πρὸς αὐτὸν τὴν λύπην, ἀπῆλθον παρακαλέσαι αὐτὸν, ἵνα ἐνέγκωσιν αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν μονὴν αὐτοῦ. Ὡς δὲ ἤγγισαν ὅπου ἦν ὁ ἀββᾶς Σώρης, ἀφῆκαν τὰ μηλωτάρια αὐτῶν ἐγγὺς αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν τὸν ἔχοντα τὴν λύπην. Καὶ ὡς ἔκρουσαν, βάλλει ὁ γέρων τὸ κλιμάκιον, καὶ παρακύπτει, καὶ γνωρίζει αὐτοὺς, καὶ λέγει· Ποῦ τὰ μηλωτάρια ὑμῶν; Οἱ δὲ εἶπον· Ἰδοὺ ὧδε μετὰ τοῦδε τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ. Ὡς δὲ ἤκουσε τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ τοῦ λυπήσαντος αὐτὸν, ὁ γέρων ἀπὸ χαρᾶς ἔβαλε πέλεκυν, καὶ κατέστρεψε την θύραν, καὶ ἐξῆλθε τρέχων ὅπου ἦν ὁ ἀδελφός· καὶ ἔβαλεν αὐτῷ μετάνοιαν πρῶτος, καὶ ἡσπάσατο αὐτόν· καὶ εἰσήνεγκεν αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπὶ τρεῖς ἡμέρας εὔφρανεν αὐτούς· καὶ αὐτὸς μετ᾿ αὐτῶν· ὅπερ οὐκ εἶχε συνήθειαν ποιεῖν· καὶ ἀναστὰς ἐπορεύθη μετ' αὐτῶν. Καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα ἐπίσκοπος γέγονεν. Ἦν γὰρ σημειοφόρος. Καὶ τὸν μαθητὴν αὐτοῦ ἐποίησεν ἐπίσκοπον ὁ μακάριος Κύριλλος τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰσαάκ. ### English translation (Claude) His disciple abba Isaac related about abba Motius (both became bishops) that the old man first built a monastery at Heraclea; and when he withdrew from there, he went to another place and built again there. And by the working of the devil a brother was found who was hostile to him and afflicted him. And the old man got up and withdrew to his own village; and he made himself a monastery and shut himself in. After a time the old men of the place he had left came, bringing also the brother who had the grievance against him, and went to beg him to come back to his monastery. When they drew near where abba Sores was, they left their sheepskins near him, and the brother who had the grievance. And when they knocked, the old man let down the little ladder, peered out, recognized them, and says, “Where are your sheepskins?” They said, “Look, here with this brother.” When he heard the name of the brother who had grieved him, the old man for joy took an axe, broke down the door, and went out running to where the brother was; and he made a prostration to him first and embraced him; and he brought him into his cell and for three days entertained them, and himself with them, which he was not accustomed to do; and he got up and went with them. And afterward he became a bishop; for he was a wonder-worker. And blessed Cyril made his disciple, abba Isaac, a bishop. ### Translation notes - “Abba Sores” is evidently another name for Motius in this saying. Cyril was archbishop of Alexandria (412–444). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 74.2 (PG 65:299; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/74-2). ## Megethius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-75-1 - Source: PG 65:299 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Megethius owned only a needle, so he could leave his cell at any moment. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μεγεθίου, ὅτι ἐξήρχετο τοῦ κελλίου καὶ εἰ ἤρχετο αὐτῷ λογισμὸς ἀναχωρῆσαι ἐκ τοῦ τόπου, οὐκ ἀνέκαμπτεν εἰς τὴν κέλλαν αὐτοῦ. Οὐδὲ γὰρ εἶχε τί ποτε τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου ὕλην, εἰ μὴ ῥαφίδα μίαν ὅπου τὰ θαλλία ἔσχιζεν· εἰργάζετο γὰρ καθ' ἡμέραν τρία μαλάκια, τὸ τῆς τροφῆς αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Megethius that if he went out of his cell and the thought came to him to leave the place, he did not go back to his cell. For he had no material thing of this age except one needle with which he split the palm leaves; for he made three small baskets a day, the cost of his food. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 75.1 (PG 65:299; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/75-1). ## Megethius 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-75-2 - Source: PG 65:301 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Megethius finds rest by eating half a loaf daily instead of a whole one every two days. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ δευτέρου ἀββᾶ Μεγεθίου, ὅτι ἦν ταπεινὸς σφόδρα, μαθητευθεὶς παρ' Αἰγυπτίοις, καὶ συντυχὼν πολλοῖς γέρουσι, καὶ τῷ ἀββᾷ Σισόῃ, καὶ τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι. Ἔμεινε δὲ καὶ εἰς ποταμὸν εἰς τὸ Σινά. Καὶ συνέβη τινὰ τῶν ἁγίων παραβαλεῖν αὐτῷ (ὡς αὐτὸς διηγήσατο), καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Πῶς διάγεις, ἀδελφὲ, ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ταύτῃ; Ὁ δὲ εἶπε· Νηστεύω δύο δύο, καὶ ἕνα ἄρτον ἐσθίω. Καὶ λέγει μοι Εἰ θέλεις ἀκοῦσαί μου, φάγε καθ' ἡμέραν τὸ ἥμισυ τοῦ ἄρτου. Καὶ ποιήσας οὕτως εὗρεν ἀνάπαυσιν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of the second abba Megethius that he was very humble, having been taught by Egyptians and having met many old men, and abba Sisoes and abba Poemen. He lived also at the river at Sinai. And it happened that one of the saints visited him (as he himself related), and says to him, “How do you live in this desert, brother?” He said, “I fast two days at a time, and eat one loaf.” And he says to me, “If you want to listen to me, eat half the loaf every day.” And doing so he found rest. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 75.2 (PG 65:301; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/75-2). ## Megethius 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-75-3 - Source: PG 65:301 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Spoiled food may be thrown out, but good food must not be wasted for daintiness. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησάν τινες τῶν Πατέρων τὸν ἀββᾶν Μεγέθιον, λέγοντες· Ἐὰν περισσεύηται ἔψημα εἰς τὴν ἄλλην ἡμέραν, θέλεις ἵνα φάγωσιν οἱ ἀδελφοί; Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Ἐὰν ἡρήμωται, οὐκ ἔστι καλὸν ἵνα ἀναγκασθῶσιν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ φαγεῖν αὐτὸ, καὶ ἀσθενήσωσιν, ἀλλὰ ῥιφῇ· ἐὰν δὲ καλόν ἐστι, καὶ διὰ στρῆνος ῥιφῇ, καὶ ἄλλο ἐψηθῇ, τοῦτο κακόν ἐστιν. ### English translation (Claude) Some of the Fathers asked abba Megethius, saying, “If cooked food is left over to the next day, do you want the brothers to eat it?” The old man says to them, “If it has gone bad, it is not good that the brothers be forced to eat it and fall ill; but let it be thrown away. But if it is good, and it is thrown away out of daintiness and something else cooked, that is evil.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 75.3 (PG 65:301; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/75-3). ## Megethius 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/70-1/#p-75-4 - Source: PG 65:301 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Once the monks’ gatherings lifted them to heaven; now slander drags them down. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἐν ἀρχῇ ὅτε συνηγόμεθα πρὸς ἀλλήλους, καὶ ἐλαλοῦμεν περὶ ὠφελείας συγκροτοῦντες ἀλλήλους, ἐγινόμεθα χοροὶ χοροὶ, καὶ ἀνηρχόμεθα εἰς τοὺς οὐρανούς. Νυνὶ δὲ συναγόμεθα, καὶ εἷς τὸν ἕνα εἰς καταλαλιὰν ἐρχόμενοι, κατάγομεν κάτω. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “In the beginning, when we gathered together and spoke of what is profitable, encouraging one another, we became choirs upon choirs and went up to heaven. But now we gather, and coming to slander one another, we drag each other down.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 75.4 (PG 65:301; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/75-4). ## Mius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-76-1 - Source: PG 65:301 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: God obeys whoever obeys him. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μιὼς ὁ τοῦ Βελέου, ὅτι ἡ ὑπακοὴ ἀντὶ ὑπακοῆς ἐστιν. Εἴ τις ὑπακούει τῷ Θεῷ, ὁ Θεὸς ὑπακούει αὐτόν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Mius of Belos said, “Obedience is in return for obedience. If someone obeys God, God obeys him.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 76.1 (PG 65:301; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1). ## Mius 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-76-2 - Source: PG 65:301 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A former slave turned monk insists on washing his masters’ feet and bringing them his wages each year. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν περί τινος γέροντος, ὅτι ἦν ἐν τῇ Σκήτει· ἦν δὲ ἀπὸ δούλων· ἐγένετο δὲ διακριτικὸς σφόδρα. Καὶ ἤρχετο κατ᾿ ἐνιαυτὸν εἰς Ἀλεξάνδρειαν, φέρων τὴν μισθοφορίαν τοῖς κυρίοις αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ὑπήντων αὐτῷ, καὶ προσεκύνουν αὐτῷ. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἔβαλεν ὕδωρ εἰς τὸν νιπτῆρα, καὶ ἔφερεν, ἵνα νίψῃ τοὺς κυρίους αὐτοῦ. Οἱ δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ἔλεγον· Μή, Πάτερ, μὴ βαρῆς ἡμᾶς. Ὁ δὲ πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἔλεγεν Ὁμολογῶ ὅτι δοῦλος ὑμῶν εἰμι· καὶ εὐχαριστῶν ὅτι ἀφήκατέ με ἐλεύθερον δουλεύειν τῷ Θεῷ, ἀλλὰ κἀγὼ νίπτω ὑμᾶς, καὶ δέξασθε τὴν μισθοφορίαν μου ταύτην Οἱ δὲ ἐφιλονείκουν μὴ καταδεχόμενοι. Ἔλεγεν οὖν αὐτοῖς· Ἐὰν μὴ θέλητε δέξασθαι, κάθημαι ὧδε δουλεύων ὑμῖν. Καὶ φοβούμενοι αὐτὸν, ἤφιον ὁ ἐβούλετο ποιῆσαι· καὶ προέπεμπον αὐτὸν μετὰ πολλῶν χρειῶν, καὶ πολλῆς τιμῆς, ἵνα ποιῇ ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν ἀγάπας. Καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ἐγένετο ὀνομαστὸς εἰς Σκῆτιν, καὶ ἀγαπητός ### English translation (Claude) He also said of an old man that he was at Scetis; he was from among slaves; and he became very discerning. And every year he went to Alexandria, bringing his wages to his masters. And they met him and bowed down to him. But the old man put water into the basin and brought it, to wash his masters’ feet. And they said to him, “No, father, do not burden us.” He said to them, “I confess that I am your slave; and I give thanks that you have let me be free to serve God; but I too will wash you, and accept these wages of mine.” They contended, not accepting. So he said to them, “If you will not accept, I will stay here serving you.” And fearing him, they let him do what he wanted; and they sent him off with many provisions and much honor, so that he might hold love-feasts for them. And because of this he became famous at Scetis and beloved. ### Scripture references - John 13:14: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 76.2 (PG 65:301; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-2). ## Mius 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-76-3 - Source: PG 65:301–303 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Mius tells a soldier that God, like a man mending his cloak, does not throw away his creature. ### Greek text Ἡρωτήθη ὁ ἀββᾶς Μιὼς ὑπὸ στρατευομένου, εἰ ἄρα δέχεται μετάνοιαν ὁ Θεός. Ὁ δὲ μετὰ τὸ κατηχῆσαι αὐτὸν ἐν πολλοῖς λόγοις, λέγει πρὸς αὐτὸν Εἰπέ μοι, ἀγαπητέ· ἐὰν σχισθῇ σου τὸ χλανίδιον, βάλλεις τοῦτο ἔξω; Λέγει· Οὔ ἀλλὰ ῥάπτω αὐτὸ, καὶ χρῶμαι αὐτῷ. Λέγει πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ γέρων· Εἰ οὖν σὺ τοῦ ἱματίου φείδῃ, ὁ Θεὸς τοῦ ἰδίου πλάσματος οὐ φείσεται ### English translation (Claude) Abba Mius was asked by a soldier whether God accepts repentance. After instructing him with many words, he says to him, “Tell me, beloved: if your cloak is torn, do you throw it away?” He says, “No, but I sew it up and use it.” The old man says to him, “So if you spare your garment, will not God spare his own creature?” ### Translation notes - Variant notes and stray lines from other sayings (on Megethius and on a former slave) are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 76.3 (PG 65:301–303; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-3). ## Mark the Egyptian 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-77-1 - Source: PG 65:303 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Mark refuses to judge a presbyter accused by a demoniac, and sees the presbyter purified by an angel at the altar. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μάρκου τοῦ Αἰγυπτίου, ὅτι ἔμεινε τριάκοντα ἔτη, μὴ ἐξερχόμενος ἐκ τοῦ κελλίου αὐτοῦ. Εἶχε δὲ ἔθος ὁ πρεσβύτερος ἔρχεσθαι, καὶ ποιεῖν αὐτῷ τὴν ἁγίαν προσφοράν. Ὁ δὲ διάβολος, θεωρήσας τὴν τοῦ ἀνδρὸς ἐνάρετον ὑπομονήν, ἐπανουργεύσατο ἐν κατακρίσει πειράσαι αὐτόν· καὶ παρεσκεύασέ τινα πνευματιῶντα, πρὸς τὸν γέροντα προφάσει εὐχῆς ἀπελθεῖν. Ὁ δὲ πνευματιῶν πρὸ παντὸς λόγου προσεφώνει τῷ γέροντι· Ὁ πρεσβύτερός σου ἔχει ὀσμὴν ἁμαρτίας, μηκέτι αὐτὸν ἐάσῃς εἰσελθεῖν πρὸς σέ. Ὁ δὲ θεόπνευστος ἀνὴρ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· Τέκνον, πάντες τὴν ἀκαθαρσίαν ἔξω βάλλουσι· σὺ δὲ πρὸς μὲ ἤνεγκας αὐτήν. Ἀλλὰ γέγραπται· Μὴ κρίνετε, ἵνα μὴ κριθῆτε. Ὅμως εἰ καὶ ἁμαρτωλός ἐστιν, ὁ Κύριος σώσει αὐτόν. Γέγραπται γάρ· Εὔχεσθε ὑπὲρ ἀλλήλων, ὅπως ἰαθῆτε. Καὶ ἐπὶ τῷ λόγῳ τούτῳ ποιήσας εὐχὴν, ἐφυγάδευσε τὸν δαίμονα ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, καὶ ἀπέλυσεν αὐτὸν ὑγιῆ. Ὡς δὲ ἦλθεν ὁ πρεσβύτερος κατὰ τὸ εἰωθὸς, ὑπεδέξατο αὐτὸν ὁ γέρων μετὰ χαρᾶς. Ὁ δὲ ἀγαθὸς Θεὸς, ἰδὼν τὴν ἀκακίαν τοῦ γέροντος, ἔδειξεν αὐτῷ σημεῖον. Μέλλοντος γὰρ τοῦ κληρικοῦ στῆναι ἔμπροσθεν τῆς ἁγίας τραπέζης, καθὼς ὁ γέρων διηγήερχόμενον, καὶ ἔθηκε τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν κεφαλὴν τοῦ κληρικοῦ, καὶ ἐγένετο ὁ κληρικὸς ὡς στύλος πυρός. Ἐμοῦ δὲ θαυμάσαντος ἐπὶ τῇ ὁράσει, ἤκουσα φωνῆς λεγούσης πρὸς μέ· Ἄνθρωπε, τί τεθαύμακας ἐπὶ τῷ πράγματι τούτῳ; Εἰ γὰρ βασιλεὺς ἐπίγειος οὐ μὴ ἑάσῃ τοὺς μεγιστᾶνας αὐτοῦ ῥυπαροὺς στῆναι ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ, ἐὰν μὴ μετὰ δόξης πολλῆς· πόσῳ μᾶλλον ἡ θεία δύναμις οὐ καθαρίσει τοὺς λειτουργοὺς τῶν ἁγίων μυστηρίων, στήκοντας ἔμπροσθεν τῆς οὐρανίου δόξης; Ὁ δὲ γενναῖος καὶ ἀθλητὴς τοῦ Χριστοῦ Μάρκος ὁ Αἰγύπτιος, μέγας γενόμενος, κατηξιώθη τοῦ χαρίσματος τούτου, ὅτι οὐ κατέκρινε τὸν κληρικόν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Mark the Egyptian that he remained thirty years without going out of his cell. And the presbyter was accustomed to come and celebrate the holy offering for him. But the devil, seeing the man’s virtuous endurance, schemed to tempt him through condemnation; and he prepared someone possessed to go to the old man on the pretext of asking for prayer. Before saying anything, the possessed man called out to the old man, “Your presbyter has the smell of sin; do not let him come in to you any more.” But the God-inspired man said to him, “Child, everyone throws uncleanness out, but you have brought it to me. But it is written, ‘Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.’ Even if he is a sinner, the Lord will save him. For it is written, ‘Pray for one another, that you may be healed.’” And with this word, praying, he drove the demon out of the man and sent him away healthy. When the presbyter came as usual, the old man received him with joy. And the good God, seeing the old man’s innocence, showed him a sign. For as the cleric was about to stand before the holy table, as the old man related, … [an angel] coming down, and he put his hand on the cleric’s head, and the cleric became like a pillar of fire. “And as I marveled at the sight, I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Man, why are you amazed at this thing? If an earthly king will not let his nobles stand before him dirty, but only in great glory, how much more will the divine power cleanse the ministers of the holy mysteries as they stand before the heavenly glory?’” And the noble athlete of Christ, Mark the Egyptian, having become great, was counted worthy of this gift because he did not condemn the cleric. ### Scripture references - Matt 7:1: quotation, high confidence - Jas 5:16: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Words are lost in the scan before “coming down” (in other copies: “I saw an angel of the Lord coming down from heaven”); “[an angel]” makes the sense clear and is not in the Greek. Quotations of Matt 7:1 and Jas 5:16. The holy offering is the Eucharist. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 77.1 (PG 65:303; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/77-1). ## Macarius the Citizen 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-78-1 - Source: PG 65:303 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius eats with the brothers once but then declines, saying they still need food as flesh. ### Greek text κόψαι θαλλία, καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ μετ' αὐτοῦ. Καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ τὴν πρώτην ἡμέραν· Δεῦρο, φάγε μεθ' ἡμῶν, Πάτερ. Ὁ δὲ ἀπῆλθε καὶ ἔφαγε. Καὶ πάλιν τῇ ἄλλῃ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ φαγεῖν. Ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἤθελεν, ἀλλ᾽ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· Ὑμεῖς χρείαν ἔχετε φαγεῖν, τέκνα ἀκμὴν γὰρ σάρξ ἐστε· ἐγὼ δὲ νῦν οὐ θέλω φαγεῖν. ### English translation (Claude) … to cut palm leaves, and the brothers with him. And on the first day they say to him, “Come, eat with us, father.” And he went and ate. And again the next day they tell him to eat. But he would not, but said to them, “You need to eat, children, for you are still flesh; but I do not want to eat now.” ### Translation notes - The beginning of the saying and its numeral are lost in the scan (in other copies: “Abba Macarius the citizen once went …”); not supplied. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 78.1 (PG 65:303; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/78-1). ## Macarius the Citizen 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-78-2 - Source: PG 65:303–305 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius tells Pachomius to discipline his own monks but judge no outsiders. ### Greek text Παρέβαλεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Παχώμιον τῶν Ταβενησιωτῶν. Ὁ δὲ Παχώμιος ἠρώτα αὐτὸν, λέγων· Ὅτε εἰσιν ἀδελφοὶ ἄτακτοι, καλόν ἐστι παιδεῦσαι αὐτούς; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος· Παίδευσον, καὶ κρῖνον δικαίως τοὺς ὑπὸ σέ· ἔξω δὲ μὴ κρίνῃς τινάς. Γέγραπται γάρ· Οὐχὶ τοὺς ἔσω ὑμεῖς κρίνετε; τοὺς δὲ ἔξω ὁ Θεὸς κρίνει. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Macarius visited abba Pachomius of the Tabennesiots. And Pachomius asked him, saying, “When there are undisciplined brothers, is it good to discipline them?” Abba Macarius says to him, “Discipline and judge justly those under you; but do not judge anyone outside. For it is written, ‘Is it not those inside whom you judge? But those outside God judges.’” ### Scripture references - 1 Cor 5:12: quotation, high confidence - 1 Cor 5:13: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of 1 Cor 5:12–13. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 78.2 (PG 65:303–305; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/78-2). ## Macarius the Citizen 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-78-3 - Source: PG 65:305 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Macarius finds a brother always at prayer for four months and calls him an earthly angel. ### Greek text Ἐποίησέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Μακάριος τετράμηνον, παραβάλλων τινὶ ἀδελφῷ ἡμερούσιον· καὶ οὐχ εὖρεν αὐτὸν εὐκαιροῦντα ἀπὸ τῆς προσευχῆς οὐδὲ ἅπαξ· καὶ θαυμάσας ἔλεγεν· Ἰδοὺ ἐπίγειος ἄγγελος. Ἀρχὴ τοῦ Ν στοιχείου. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Macarius spent four months visiting a brother every day; and he did not once find him free from prayer; and marveling he said, “Look, an earthly angel.” [Beginning of the letter N.] ### Translation notes - The last words are a heading of the printed collection. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 78.3 (PG 65:305; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/78-3). ## Nilus 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-79-1 - Source: PG 65:305 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Revenge returns to trouble the heart at prayer. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Νεῖλος Ὅσα ἂν ποιῆς εἰς ἄμυναν ἀδελφοῦ ἠδικηκότος σε, ἅπαντα εἰς καρδίαν σοι γενήσεται ἐν καιρῷ προσευχῆς. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Nilus said, “Whatever you do in revenge against a brother who has wronged you will all come into your heart at the time of prayer.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 79.1 (PG 65:305; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/79-1). ## Nilus 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-79-2 - Source: PG 65:305 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Prayer grows from meekness and freedom from anger. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Προσευχή ἐστι πραότητος καὶ ἀοργησίας βλάστημα. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Prayer is the offshoot of meekness and freedom from anger.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 79.2 (PG 65:305; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/79-2). ## Nilus 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-79-3 - Source: PG 65:305 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Prayer is the remedy for grief and despondency. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Προσευχή ἐστι λύπης καὶ ἀθυμίας ἀλέξημα. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Prayer is the remedy for grief and despondency.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 79.3 (PG 65:305; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/79-3). ## Nilus 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-79-4 - Source: PG 65:305 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Renunciation and self-denial make undistracted prayer possible. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν Ἀπελθὼν πώλησόν σου τὰ ὑπάρχοντα, καὶ δὸς πτωχοῖς· καὶ λαβὼν τὸν σταυρὸν, ἀπάρνησαι σεαυτόν· ἵνα δυνηθῇς ἀπερισπάστως προσεύχεσθαι. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor; and taking up the cross, deny yourself, so that you may be able to pray without distraction.” ### Scripture references - Matt 19:21: allusion, high confidence - Luke 9:23: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Matt 19:21; Luke 9:23. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 79.4 (PG 65:305; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/79-4). ## Nilus 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-79-5 - Source: PG 65:305 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: What one endures in the ascetic life bears fruit in prayer. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ὅπερ ἂν ὑπομένων φιλοσοφήσῃς, τούτου τὸν καρπὸν κατὰ τὸν καιρὸν τῆς εὐχῆς εὐρήσεις. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Whatever you endure in practicing wisdom, you will find its fruit at the time of prayer.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 79.5 (PG 65:305; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/79-5). ## Nilus 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-79-6 - Source: PG 65:305 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: True prayer requires grieving no one. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἐπιθυμῶν προσεύξασθαι ὡς δεῖ, μὴ λυπήσῃς ψυχήν· εἰ δὲ μήγε, εἰς μάτην τρέχεις. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “If you desire to pray as you ought, do not grieve any soul; otherwise you run in vain.” ### Scripture references - Gal 2:2: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 79.6 (PG 65:305; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/79-6). ## Nilus 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-79-7 - Source: PG 65:305 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Seek God’s will, not your own, and your prayer will be calm and thankful. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Μὴ θέλε ὡς σοὶ δοκεῖ, ἀλλ' ὡς Θεῷ ἀρέσκει γίνεσθαι τὰ κατὰ σε· καὶ ἔσῃ ἀτάραχος καὶ εὐχάριστος ἐν προσευχῇ σου. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Do not want your affairs to turn out as seems good to you, but as pleases God; and you will be untroubled and thankful in your prayer.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 79.7 (PG 65:305; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/79-7). ## Nilus 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-79-8 - Source: PG 65:305 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Blessed is the monk who counts himself the refuse of all. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν Μακάριός ἐστι μοναχὸς, ὁ πάντων περίψημα ἑαυτὸν λογιζόμενος. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Blessed is the monk who regards himself as the refuse of all.” ### Scripture references - 1 Cor 4:13: echo, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Cf. 1 Cor 4:13. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 79.8 (PG 65:305; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/79-8). ## Nilus 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-79-9 - Source: PG 65:305 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Stillness protects the monk from the enemy’s arrows. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν Ἄτρωτος διαμένει μοναχὸς ἀπὸ τῶν βελῶν τοῦ ἐχθροῦ, ὁ ἀγαπῶν ἡσυχίαν· ὁ δὲ συναναμιγνύμενος πλήθεσι συνεχεῖς δέχεται πληγάς. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “The monk who loves stillness remains unwounded by the arrows of the enemy; but one who mixes with crowds receives continual blows.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 79.9 (PG 65:305; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/79-9). ## Nilus 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-79-10 - Source: PG 65:305 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The negligent servant should expect punishment. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ὁ δοῦλος ὁ ἀμελῶν τῶν ἔργων τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ ἑτοιμαζέσθω πρὸς μάστιγας. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “The servant who neglects the works of his master, let him prepare for the lash.” ### Scripture references - Luke 12:47: echo, medium confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 79.10 (PG 65:305; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/79-10). ## Nisterus 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-80-1 - Source: PG 65:305 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Nisterus flees a serpent not from fear but to escape vainglory. ### Greek text Ὁ ἀββᾶς Νιστερῶος ὁ μέγας περιεπάτει ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ μετὰ ἀδελφοῦ τινος· καὶ ἰδόντες δράκοντα, ἔφυγον. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφός· Καὶ σὺ φοβῇ, Πάτερ; Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Οὐ φοβοῦμαι, τέκνον· ἀλλὰ συμφέρει ὅτι ἔφυγον, ἐπεὶ οὐκ εἶχον ἐκφυγεῖν τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς κενοδοξίας. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Nisterus the Great was walking in the desert with a brother; and seeing a serpent, they fled. And the brother says to him, “Are you afraid too, father?” And the old man says to him, “I am not afraid, child; but it was good that I fled, since otherwise I would not have escaped the spirit of vainglory.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 80.1 (PG 65:305; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/80-1). ## Nisterus 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-80-2 - Source: PG 65:305–307 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Nisterus teaches that every virtue pleases God, as Abraham’s hospitality, Elijah’s stillness, and David’s humility show. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε γέροντα, λέγων· Ποῖον καλὸν πρᾶγμά ἐστιν, ἵνα ποιήσω, καὶ ζήσωμαι ἐν αὐτῷ; Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων· Ὁ Θεὸς οἶδε τὸ καλόν. Ἀλλ' ἤκουσα ὅτι ἡρώτησέ τις τῶν Πατέρων τὸν ἀββᾶν Νιστερῶον τὸν μέγαν, τὸν φίλον τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀντωνίου, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ποῖον καλὸν ἔργον ἐστὶν, ἵνα ποιήσω; Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Οὐκ εἰσὶ πᾶσαι αἱ ἐργασίαι ἴσαι; ἡ Γραφὴ λέγει, ὅτι Ἀβραὰμ φιλόξενος ἦν, καὶ ὁ Θεὸς ἦν μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ· καὶ Ἠλίας ἠγάπα τὴν ἡσυχίαν, καὶ ὁ Θεὸς ἦν μετ' αὐτοῦ· καὶ ὁ Δαβὶδ ταπεινὸς ἦν, καὶ ὁ Θεὸς ἦν μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ. Ὁ οὖν θεωρεῖς τὴν ψυχήν σου θέλουσαν κατὰ Θεὸν, τοῦτο ποίησον καὶ [φύλαξον] τὴν καρδίαν σου. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked an old man, saying, “What good thing is there that I may do and live by it?” And the old man said, “God knows what is good. But I have heard that one of the Fathers asked abba Nisterus the Great, the friend of abba Antony, and said to him, ‘What good work is there that I may do?’ And he said to him, ‘Are not all works equal? Scripture says that Abraham was hospitable, and God was with him; and Elijah loved stillness, and God was with him; and David was humble, and God was with him. So whatever you see your soul wanting according to God, do that, and [guard] your heart.’” ### Scripture references - Gen 18:2: allusion, medium confidence - 1 Kgs 19:12: echo, low confidence - Prov 4:23: echo, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. “Guard” is in square brackets in the printed text (a word supplied by the editor). Abraham: Gen 18:1–8; Elijah: 1 Kgs 19; Prov 4:23. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 80.2 (PG 65:305–307; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/80-2). ## Nisterus 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-80-3 - Source: PG 65:307 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Nisterus tells Joseph that since talking brings him no rest he should listen rather than speak. ### Greek text Ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωσὴφ λέγει τῷ ἀββᾷ Νισθερώῳ· Τί ποιήσω τῇ γλώσσῃ μου, ὅτι οὐ δύναμαι κρατῆσαι αὐτῆς; Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἐὰν οὖν λαλήσῃς, ἔχεις ἀνάπαυσιν; Λέγει αὐτῷ· Οὐχί. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων· Εἰ οὐκ ἔχεις ἀνάπαυσιν, διατί λαλεῖς; μᾶλλον σιώπα καὶ ἐὰν συμβῇ ὁμιλία, πολλὰ ἄκουε μᾶλλον ἢ λάλει. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Joseph says to abba Nisterus, “What shall I do with my tongue, since I cannot control it?” And the old man says to him, “When you speak, then, do you have rest?” He says to him, “No.” And the old man said, “If you have no rest, why do you speak? Rather keep silent; and if a conversation happens, listen much rather than speak.” ### Scripture references - Jas 1:19: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 80.3 (PG 65:307; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/80-3). ## Nisterus 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-80-4 - Source: PG 65:307 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Nisterus would give away both tunics piece by piece and wait for God to clothe him. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς εἶδε τὸν ἀββᾶν Νισθερῶον φοροῦντα δύο κολόβια, καὶ ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτὸν, λέγων· Ἐὰν πτωχὸς ἔλθῃ, καὶ αἰτήσῃ σε ἱμάτιον, ποῖον δίδως αὐτῷ; Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπε· Τὸ κάλλιον. Καὶ λέγει ὁ ἀδελφός· Καὶ ἐὰν ἄλλος αἰτήσῃ σε, τί παρέχεις αὐτῷ; καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Τὸ ἥμισυ τοῦ ἄλλου. Καὶ λέγει ὁ ἀδελφός· Καὶ ἐὰν ἄλλος αἰτήσῃ σε, τί δίδως αὐτῷ; Ὁ δὲ ἔφη· Κόπτω καὶ τὸ λοιπὸν, καὶ δίδωμι αὐτῷ τὸ ἥμισυ, καὶ τὸ λοιπὸν ζώννυμαι. Καὶ πάλιν λέγει Εἰ δὲ καὶ τοῦτο ζητήσῃ τις παρὰ σοῦ, τί ποιεῖς; Λέγει ὁ γέρων· Παρέχω αὐτῷ τὸ λοιπὸν, καὶ πορευθεὶς κάθημαι εἰς ἕνα τόπον, ἕως οὗ ὁ Θεὸς πέμψῃ καὶ σκεπάσῃ με· οὐ ζητῶ γὰρ παρ᾿ ἄλλου τινός. ### English translation (Claude) A brother saw abba Nisterus wearing two tunics, and asked him, saying, “If a poor man comes and asks you for a garment, which do you give him?” And he answered, “The better one.” And the brother says, “And if another asks you, what do you give him?” And the old man says, “Half of the other.” And the brother says, “And if another asks you, what do you give him?” He said, “I cut the rest too, and give him half, and gird myself with what is left.” And again he says, “And if someone asks you for that too, what do you do?” The old man says, “I give him the rest, and go and sit in some place until God sends someone to cover me; for I do not ask anyone else.” ### Scripture references - Luke 3:11: echo, medium confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 80.4 (PG 65:307; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/80-4). ## Nisterus 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-80-5 - Source: PG 65:307 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Nisterus counsels daily self-examination, prayer in God’s presence, and avoidance of oaths, lies, curses, and laughter. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Νισθερῶος, ὅτι ὀφείλει ὁ μοναχὸς καθ᾽ ἑσπέραν καὶ πρωΐας λόγον ποιεῖν, Τί ὧν θέλει ὁ Θεὸς ἐποιήσαμεν, καὶ τί ὧν οὐ θέλει οὐκ ἐποιήσαμεν; καὶ οὕτως τρακτεύοντες ἑαυτῶν τὴν πᾶσαν ζωήν. Οὕτως γὰρ ἔζησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀρσένιος. Σπούδαζε ἑκάστην ἡμέραν παρεστάναι τῷ Θεῷ χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας. Οὕτω προσεύχου τῷ Θεῷ, ὡς παρὼν παρόντι καὶ γὰρ ἀληθῶς πάρεστι. Μὴ νομοθέτει ἑαυτόν· κρῖνε δὲ μηδένα. Μοναχοῦ ἀλλότριον ὑπάρχει τὸ ὀμνύειν, ἐπιορκεῖν, ψεύδεσθαι, καταρᾶσθαι, ὑβρίζειν, γελᾷν. Ὁ δὲ πλέον τῆς ἀξίας τιμώμενος ἢ ἐπαιρούμενος πολὺ ζημιοῦται. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Nisterus said that the monk ought every evening and morning to give an account: “What of the things God wants have we done, and what of the things he does not want have we not done?” and so to examine our whole life. For so abba Arsenius lived. “Strive each day to stand before God without sin. Pray to God as one present to one who is present, for truly he is present. Do not make laws for yourself; judge no one. Swearing, perjury, lying, cursing, insulting, and laughing are alien to a monk. One who is honored or exalted beyond his worth is greatly harmed.” ### Scripture references - Matt 5:34: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 80.5 (PG 65:307; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/80-5). ## Nisterus the Cenobite 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-81-1 - Source: PG 65:307 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen likens the silent Nisterus to Moses’ healing bronze serpent; the start of another saying about Poemen wishing to see him follows. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Νισθερώου, ὅτι ὥσπερ ὁ ὄφις ὁ χαλκοῦς ὃν ἐποίησε Μωϋσῆς εἰς θεραπείαν τοῦ λαοῦ, οὕτως ἦν ὁ γέρων, πᾶσαν ἀρετὴν ἔχων, καὶ σιωπῶν πάντας ἐθεράπευεν. περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Νισθερώου ἀκούων ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν καθεζόμενος εἰς κοινόβιον, ἐπεθύμησεν αὐτὸν ἰδεῖν· καὶ ἐδήλωσε τῷ ἀββᾷ αὐτοῦ, ἵνα ἀποστείλῃ αὐτὸν αὐτῷ. Ὁ δὲ μὴ βουλόμενος ἀποστεῖλαι αὐτὸν μόνον, ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said of abba Nisterus that just as the bronze serpent that Moses made for the healing of the people, so was the old man: having every virtue, and silent, he healed everyone. [Another saying:] … Abba Poemen, living in a community and hearing about abba Nisterus, wanted to see him; and he informed his abba, so that he might send him to him. But he, not wanting to send him alone, … ### Scripture references - Num 21:9: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. The words after the first saying are the beginning of another saying, whose opening is lost in the scan and which continues in 81.2. The bronze serpent: Num 21:9. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 81.1 (PG 65:307; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/81-1). ## Nisterus the Cenobite 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-81-2 - Source: PG 65:307–309 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Nisterus explains that he learned silence in the community by telling himself he was like a donkey before God. ### Greek text Ἐρωτηθεὶς δὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Νισθερῶος παρὰ Α. ἐπαινούμενος. οὐκ ἀπέστειλε. Μετὰ δὲ ὀλίγας ἡμέρας, ὁ οἰκονόμος τοῦ κοινοβίου, ἔχων λογισμὸν, παρεκάλεσε τὸν ἀββᾶν αὐτοῦ ἀπολῦσαι αὐτὸν πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων ἐξειπεῖν αὐτῷ τοὺς ἑαυτοῦ λογισμούς. Ὁ δὲ ἀπέλυσεν αὐτὸν, εἰπών Λάβε καὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν μετὰ σοῦ, ὅτι ἐδήλωσέ μοι ὁ γέρων περὶ αὐτοῦ· καὶ μὴ θαῤῥῶν ἀπολῦσαι αὐτὸν μόνον, οὐκ ἀπέλυσα. Ὡς δὲ ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν γέροντα ὁ οἰκονόμος, ἐλάλησεν αὐτῷ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος, πόθεν ἐκτήσατο τὴν ἀρετὴν ταύτην, ὅτι ὅτε δήποτε συνέβη θλίψις εἰς τὸ κοινόβιον, οὐκ ἐλάλει, οὐδὲ ἐμέσαζεν, ἀπεκρίνατο· Συγχώρησόν μοι, ἀββᾶ· ὅτε εἰσῆλθον ἀρχὴν εἰς τὸ κοινόβιον, εἶπον τῷ λογισμῷ μου, ὅτι Σὺ καὶ ὁ ὄνος ἕν ἐστε. Ὥσπερ ὁ ὄνος δέρεται καὶ οὐ λαλεῖ, ὑβρίζεται καὶ οὐδὲν ἀποκρίνεται, οὕτως καὶ σύ· καθὼς ὁ ψαλμὸς λέγει Κτηνώδης ἐγενήθην παρὰ σοὶ, κἀγὼ διαπαντὸς μετὰ σοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) … he did not send him. After a few days the steward of the community, having a troubling thought, asked his abba to let him go to abba Poemen, to tell him his thoughts. And he let him go, saying, “Take the brother with you too, for the old man asked me about him; and not daring to send him alone, I did not send him.” When the steward came to the old man, … [he asked] about abba Nisterus, where he had acquired this virtue, that whenever trouble arose in the community he did not speak nor interfere; he answered, “Forgive me, abba; when I first entered the community, I said to my thought, ‘You and the donkey are one. As the donkey is beaten and does not speak, is insulted and answers nothing, so you too; as the psalm says, “I became like a beast before you, and I am always with you.”’” ### Scripture references - Ps 73:22 (72:22 LXX): quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - This continues the saying begun at the end of 81.1. The scan is damaged at the beginning and in the middle (“…”); a fuller copy of the end of the saying stands, displaced, at the end of 82.1. A stray variant note is passed over. Quotation of Ps 73:22–23 (LXX 72:22–23). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 81.2 (PG 65:307–309; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/81-2). ## Nicon 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-82-1 - Source: PG 65:309 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Nicon, falsely accused of seducing a girl, bears punishment patiently until the real culprit confesses; a displaced passage of Nisterus follows. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησέ τινα τῶν Πατέρων, λέγων Πῶς ὁ διάβολος τοὺς πειρασμοὺς φέρει ἐπάνω τῶν ἁγίων; Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων, ὅτι ἦν τις τῶν Πατέρων, ὀνόματι Νίκων, οἰκῶν εἰς τὸ ὄρος τὸ Σινᾶ. Καὶ ἰδού τις ἀπελθὼν εἰς σκηνὴν Φαρανίτου τινὸς, καὶ εὑρὼν τὴν θυγατέρα αὐτοῦ μόνην, ἔπεσε μετ' αὐτῆς. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῇ Εἰπὲ, ὅτι ὁ ἀναχωρητὴς ὁ ἀββᾶς Νίκων ἐποίησέ μοι οὕτως. Καὶ ἡνίκα ἦλθεν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτῆς, καὶ ἔμαθε, λαβὼν τὸ ξίφος ἀπῆλθεν ἐπάνω τοῦ γέροντος. Καὶ κρούσαντος αὐτοῦ, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ γέρων. Καὶ ἐκτείναντος αὐτοῦ τὸ ξίφος τοῦ φονεῦσαι αὐτὸν, ἀπεξηράνθη ἡ χεὶρ αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ἀπελθὼν ὁ Φαρανίτης εἶπε τοῖς πρεσβυτέροις· καὶ ἔπεμψαν ἐπ᾿ αὐτόν· καὶ ἦλθεν ὁ γέρων καὶ ἐπιθέντες αὐτῷ πολλὰς πληγὰς, ἤθελον διῶξαι. Καὶ παρεκάλεσε, λέγων· "Αφετέ με ὧδε διὰ τὸν Θεὸν, ἵνα μετανοήσω. Καὶ χωρίσαντες αὐτὸν τρία ἔτη, ἔδωκαν ἐντολὴν ἵνα μηδεὶς αὐτῷ παραβάλῃ. Καὶ ἐποίησε τρία ἔτη, ἐρχόμενος κατὰ Κυριακὴν μετανοῶν· καὶ παρεκάλει πάντας, λέγων· Εὔξασθε ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ. Ὕστερον δὲ ἐδαιμονίσθη ὁ ποιήσας τὴν ἁμαρτίαν, καὶ τὸν πειρασμὸν ἐπάνω τοῦ ἀναχωρητοῦ βαλών· καὶ ὡμολόγησεν εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, ὅτι Ἐγὼ ἐποίησα τὴν ἁμαρτίαν, καὶ εἶπον συκοφαντῆσαι τὸν δοῦλον τοῦ Θεοῦ. Καὶ ἀπελθὼν πᾶς ὁ λαὸς, μετενόησε τῷ γέροντι, λέγοντες· Συγχώρησον ἡμῖν, ἀββᾶ. Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Τὸ μὲν συγχωρῆσαι, συγκεχώρηται ὑμῖν· τὸ δὲ μεῖναι, οὐκ ἔτι μένω ὧδε μεθ' ὑμῶν, ὅτι οὐχ εὑρέθη εἷς ἔχων διάκρισιν, συμπαθῆσαι μετ' ἐμοῦ. Καὶ οὕτως ἀνεχώρησεν ἐκεῖθεν. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων Θεωρεῖς πῶς ὁ διάβολος φέρει τοὺς πειρασμοὺς ἐπάνω τῶν ἁγίων. τοὺς ἑαυτοῦ λογισμοὺς, καὶ ἐθεράπευσεν αὐτόν. Μετὰ δὲ τοῦτο ἐρωτᾷ ὁ γέρων τὸν ἀδελφὸν, λέγων· Ἀββᾶ Νιστερῶε, πόθεν ἐκτήσω τὴν ἀρετὴν ταύτην, καὶ ὅτε δήποτε συμβῇ θλίψις εἰς τὸ κοινόβιον, οὐδὲν λέγεις, οὐδὲ μεσάζεις: Καὶ πολλὰ βιασθεὶς ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὑπὸ τοῦ γέροντος, εἶπεν· Συγχώρησόν μοι, ἀββᾶ· ὅτε εἰσῆλθον ἐν ἀρχῇ εἰς τὸ κοινόβιον, εἶπον τῷ λογισμῷ μου, ὅτι Σὺ καὶ ὁ ὄνος ἕν ἐστε. Ωσπερ ὁ ὄνος δέρεται καὶ οὐ λαλεῖ, ὑβρίζεται καὶ οὐκ ἀποκρίνεται, οὕτως καὶ σύ· καθὼς ὁ Ψαλμῳδὸς λέγει Κτηνώδης ἐγενήθην παρὰ σοὶ, κάγω διὰ παντὸς μετὰ σοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked one of the Fathers, saying, “How does the devil bring temptations upon the saints?” And the old man says to him, “There was one of the Fathers named Nicon, living on Mount Sinai. And look, someone went into the tent of a Pharanite, and finding his daughter alone, he lay with her. And he says to her, ‘Say that the anchorite, abba Nicon, did this to me.’ And when her father came and learned it, he took his sword and went against the old man. When he knocked, the old man came out. And as he stretched out the sword to kill him, his hand withered. And the Pharanite went and told the presbyters; and they sent for him; and the old man came, and they gave him many blows and wanted to drive him out. And he begged them, saying, ‘Let me stay here for God’s sake, so that I may repent.’ And they excluded him for three years, giving orders that no one should visit him. And he spent three years coming every Sunday doing penance and begging everyone, saying, ‘Pray for me.’ Afterward the one who had committed the sin and laid the temptation on the anchorite became possessed by a demon; and he confessed in the church, ‘I committed the sin, and I said to slander the servant of God.’ And all the people went and made a prostration of repentance to the old man, saying, ‘Forgive us, abba.’ And he says to them, ‘As for forgiving, you are forgiven; but as for staying, I will no longer stay here with you, because not one was found with discernment to have compassion on me.’ And so he withdrew from there.” And the old man said, “You see how the devil brings temptations upon the saints.” [Displaced end of the saying of Nisterus (81.2):] … his own thoughts, and he healed him. After this the old man asks the brother, saying, “Abba Nisterus, where did you acquire this virtue, that whenever trouble arises in the community you say nothing and do not interfere?” And pressed hard by the old man, the brother said, “Forgive me, abba; when I first entered the community, I said to my thought, ‘You and the donkey are one. As the donkey is beaten and does not speak, is insulted and does not answer, so you too; as the Psalmist says, “I became like a beast before you, and I am always with you.”’” ### Scripture references - Ps 73:22 (72:22 LXX): quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - The story concerns a false accusation of sexual sin and is translated as written. Variant notes are removed; the passage after the story is a second copy of the end of Nisterus 2 (see 81.2), printed here in the scan, and is marked as displaced. Quotation of Ps 73:22–23 (LXX 72:22–23). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 82.1 (PG 65:309; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/82-1). ## Netras 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-83-1 - Source: PG 65:311 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: As bishop, Netras became stricter than in the desert, lest worldly comfort destroy the monk in him. ### Greek text Διηγήσαντο περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Νετρᾶ μαθητοῦ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σιλουανοῦ, ὅτι ὅτε ἐκάθητο εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ ὄρει τῷ Σινᾷ, συμμέτρως ἐδιοίκει ἑαυτὸν πρὸς τὴν χρείαν τοῦ σώματος· ὅτε δὲ ἐγένετο ἐπίσκοπος εἰς Φαρὰν, πολλὰ ἔσφιγγεν ἑαυτὸν εἰς σκληραγωγίαν. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ· Ἀβ, ὅτε ἤμεθα εἰς τὴν ἔρημον, οὐκ ἤσκεις οὕτως. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἐκεῖ ἔρημος ἦν, καὶ ἡσυχία, καὶ πτωχεία, καὶ ἤθελεν κυβερνῆσαι τὸ σῶμα, ἵνα μὴ ἀσθενήσω, καὶ ζητήσω ἃ οὐκ εἶχον. Νῦν δὲ κόσμος ἐστὶ, καὶ ἀφορμαί εἰσιν· ἐὰν δὲ καὶ ἀσθενήσω ὧδε, ἔστιν ὁ ἀντιλαμβανόμενός μου, ἵνα μὴ ἀπολέσω τὸν μοναχόν. ### English translation (Claude) They related of abba Netras, the disciple of abba Silvanus, that when he lived in his cell on Mount Sinai, he governed himself moderately as to the body’s needs; but when he became bishop of Pharan, he constrained himself greatly to austerity. And his disciple says to him, “Abba, when we were in the desert, you did not practice asceticism like this.” And the old man says to him, “There it was desert, and stillness, and poverty, and I wanted to manage my body so as not to fall ill and seek what I did not have. But now it is the world, and there are occasions; and if I fall ill here, there is someone to help me, so that I may not lose the monk.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 83.1 (PG 65:311; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/83-1). ## Nicetas 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-84-1 - Source: PG 65:311 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The devil sets two loving brothers fighting over whether a bird is a dove or a crow, but they recognize his trick. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Νικήτας περί τινων ἀδελφῶν δύο, ὅτι συνῆλθον θέλοντες οἰκῆσαι ὁμοῦ. Ἐλογίσατο δὲ ὁ εἷς ἐν ἑαυτῷ, ὅτι Εἴ τι θέλει ὁ ἀδελφός μου, ἐκεῖνο ποιῶ. Ὁμοίως καὶ ὁ ἕτερος ἐλογίσατο, ὅτι Τὸ θέλημα τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ μου ποιήσω. Καὶ ἔζησαν ἐπὶ ἔτη πολλὰ μετὰ πολλῆς ἀγάπης. Ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ ἐχθρὸς, ἀπῆλθε θέλων χωρίσαι αὐτούς· καὶ σταθεὶς εἰς τὸ πρόθυρον, ἐφαίνετο τῷ ἑνὶ ὡσεὶ περιστερὰ, καὶ τῷ ἑτέρῳ ὡσεὶ κορώνη. Λέγει ὁ εἷς Βλέπεις τὸ περιστέριον τοῦτο; Λέγει ἐκεῖνος· Κορώνη ἐστίν. Καὶ ἤρξαντο φιλονεικεῖν ἄλλος ἄλλῳ λέγων καὶ ἀναστάντες, συνέβαλον μάχην μέχρις αἵματος, εἰς τελείαν χαρὰν τοῦ ἐχθροῦ, καὶ ἐχωρίσθησαν. Μετὰ δὲ τρεῖς ἡμέρας ἀνένευσαν εἰς ἑαυτοὺς ἐλθόντες· καὶ αὐτῶν ἐλογίζετο τὸ ὁραθὲν πετηνόν· καὶ γνόντες τὸν πόλεμον τοῦ ἐχθροῦ, ἔμειναν μέχρι τέλους μὴ χωρισθέντες. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Nicetas said about two brothers that they came together wanting to live together. One of them thought to himself, “Whatever my brother wants, I will do.” And likewise the other thought, “I will do my brother’s will.” And they lived for many years with great love. The enemy, seeing this, went to separate them; and standing in the doorway, he appeared to one as a dove and to the other as a crow. One says, “Do you see this dove?” The other says, “It is a crow.” And they began to quarrel, each saying something different; and getting up, they came to blows until blood flowed, to the enemy’s complete joy, and they separated. After three days they came to their senses; and they thought about the bird they had seen; and recognizing the enemy’s war, they remained to the end without separating. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 84.1 (PG 65:311; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/84-1). ## Xoius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-85-1 - Source: PG 65:311 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Xoius warns that wine is unfit for monks, especially when a demon is at work. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ξόϊον, λέγων Ἐὰν εὑρεθῶ πούποτε, καὶ φάγω τρία ψωμία, μὴ πολύ ἐστι; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Εἰς τὴν ἄλωνα ἦλθες, ἀδελφέ; Εἶπε δὲ πάλιν· Ἐὰν πίω τρία ποτήρια οἴνου, μὴ πολύ ἐστι; Λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἐὰν οὐκ ἔστι δαίμων, οὐκ ἔνι πολύ· ἐὰν δὲ ἔνι, πολύ ἐστιν. Ὁ γὰρ οἶνος ἀλλότριός ἐστι τῶν μοναχῶν τῶν κατὰ Θεὸν ζώντων. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Xoius, saying, “If I happen to be somewhere and eat three morsels, is it not much?” The old man says to him, “Have you come to a threshing floor, brother?” He said again, “If I drink three cups of wine, is it not much?” He says to him, “If there is no demon, it is not much; but if there is, it is much. For wine is alien to monks who live according to God.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 85.1 (PG 65:311; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/85-1). ## Xoius 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-85-2 - Source: PG 65:311–313 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Xoius prays for rain at Sinai and it falls at once. ### Greek text Ἔλεγέ τις τῶν Πατέρων περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ξοΐου τοῦ Θηβαίου, ὅτι εἰσῆλθέ ποτε εἰς τὸ ὄρος τὸ Σινᾶ· καὶ ἐξερχομένου αὐτοῦ ἐκεῖθεν, συνήντησεν αὐτῷ ἀδελφὸς, καὶ στενάζων ἔλεγε· Θλιβόμεθα, ἀββᾶ, διὰ τὴν ἀβροχίαν. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Καὶ διατί οὐκ εὔχεσθε καὶ παρακαλεῖτε τὸν Θεόν; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφός· Καὶ εὐχόμεθα, καὶ λιτανεύομεν, καὶ οὐ βρέχει. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Πάντως οὐκ εὔχεσθε ἐκτενῶς. Θέλεις δὲ γνῶναι ὅτι οὕτως ἐστί; Καὶ ἐξέτεινε τὰς χεῖρας εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν ἐν προσευχῇ, καὶ παραχρῆμα ἔβρεξεν. Ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ ἀδελφὸς ἐφοβήθη, καὶ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον, καὶ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἔφυγεν. Ὁ δὲ ἀδελφὸς ἀνήγγειλε πᾶσι τὸ γεγονός. Καὶ οἱ ἀκούσαντες ἐδόξασαν τὸν Θεόν. ### English translation (Claude) One of the Fathers said of abba Xoius the Theban that he once went to Mount Sinai; and as he was leaving there, a brother met him, and groaning said, “We are afflicted, abba, by the drought.” The old man says to him, “And why do you not pray and entreat God?” The brother says to him, “We do pray and make litanies, and it does not rain.” The old man says to him, “Surely you do not pray earnestly. Do you want to know that it is so?” And he stretched out his hands to heaven in prayer, and at once it rained. Seeing this, the brother was afraid, fell on his face, and bowed down to him. But the old man fled. And the brother told everyone what had happened. And those who heard glorified God. ### Scripture references - Jas 5:17: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The scan inserts a second copy of most of the saying (“An old man once came to Mount Sinai …”) into the first; the repetition is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 85.2 (PG 65:311–313; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/85-2). ## Xanthias 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-86-1 - Source: PG 65:313 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The thief was saved by one word and Judas lost all in one night, so no one should boast. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ξανθίας· Ὁ λῃστὴς ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ ἦν, καὶ ἀπὸ λόγου ἑνὸς ἐδικαιώθη· καὶ Ἰούδας μετὰ τῶν ἀποστόλων συνηριθμημένος ἦν, καὶ ἐν νυκτὶ μιᾷ ἀπώλεσε πάντα τὸν κάματον, καὶ κατέβη ἐξ οὐρανῶν εἰς ᾅδην. Διὸ μηδεὶς εὐπραγῶν καυχάσθω· πάντες γὰρ οἱ πεποιθότες ἐφ᾽ ἑαυτοῖς ἔπεσον. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Xanthias said, “The thief was on the cross, and was justified by one word; and Judas was numbered with the apostles, and in one night he lost all his labor and went down from heaven to Hades. So let no one who is doing well boast; for all who trust in themselves have fallen.” ### Scripture references - Luke 23:42: allusion, high confidence - Acts 1:17: allusion, medium confidence - 1 Cor 10:12: echo, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Luke 23:42–43; Acts 1:17. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 86.1 (PG 65:313; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/86-1). ## Xanthias 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-86-2 - Source: PG 65:313 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Mocked as a wine-drinker by a demon, Xanthias drives it out before he finishes his cup. ### Greek text Ἀνέβη ποτὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ξανθίας ἀπὸ Σκήτεως εἰς Τερενοῦθιν· καὶ ὅπου κατέλυσε, διὰ τὸν κόπον τῆς ἀσκήσεως ἤνεγκαν αὐτῷ ὀλίγον οἶνον. Ακούσαντες δέ τινες ἤνεγκαν αὐτῷ δαιμονιζόμενον. Καὶ ἤρξατο ὁ δαίμων λοιδορεῖν τὸν γέροντα· Πρὸς τὸν οἰνοπότην τοῦτον ἠνέγκατέ με. Καὶ ὁ μὲν γέρων οὐκ ἤθελεν αὐτὸν ἐκβαλεῖν· διὰ δὲ τὸν ὀνειδισμὸν ἔλεγε· Πιστεύω τῷ Χριστῷ, ὅτι οὐ μὴ τελέσω τὸ ποτήριον τοῦτο, ἕως οὗ ἐξέλθῃς. Καὶ ὡς ἤρξατο ὁ γέρων πίνειν, ἔκραξεν ὁ δαίμων, λέγων· Καίεις με, καίεις με. Καὶ πρὸ τοῦ τελέσαι, ἐξῆλθε διὰ τῆς χάριτος τοῦ Χριστοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Xanthias went up from Scetis to Terenuthis; and where he lodged, because of the strain of his asceticism, they brought him a little wine. Hearing of this, some people brought him a man possessed by a demon. And the demon began to abuse the old man: “You have brought me to this wine-drinker!” The old man did not want to cast him out; but because of the insult he said, “I trust in Christ that I will not finish this cup until you come out.” And as the old man began to drink, the demon cried out, saying, “You are burning me, you are burning me!” And before he finished, it came out by the grace of Christ. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 86.2 (PG 65:313; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/86-2). ## Xanthias 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-86-3 - Source: PG 65:313 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Xanthias says a dog is better than he, for it loves and faces no judgment. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς εἶπεν, ὅτι Ὁ κύων κρείσσων μού ἐστι· διότι καὶ ἀγάπην ἔχει, καὶ εἰς κρίσιν οὐκ ἔρχεται. ### English translation (Claude) The same said, “The dog is better than I; for it has love, and it does not come to judgment.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 86.3 (PG 65:313; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/86-3). ## Olympius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-87-1 - Source: PG 65:313 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A pagan priest tells Olympius that evil thoughts must be keeping the monks from seeing God, and the elders agree. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ὀλύμπιος, ὅτι Κατέβη ποτὲ ἱερεὺς τῶν Ἑλλήνων εἰς Σκῆτιν, καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὸ κελλίον μου, καὶ ἐκοιμήθη· καὶ θεασάμενος τὴν διαγωγὴν τῶν μοναχῶν, λέγει μοι· Οὕτως διάγοντες, οὐδὲν θεωρεῖτε παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ ὑμῶν; Καὶ λέγω αὐτῷ· Οὐχί. Καὶ λέγει μοι ὁ ἱερεύς· Τέως ἡμῶν ἱερουργούντων τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν, οὐδὲν κρύπτει ἀφ᾿ ἡμῶν, ἀλλὰ ἀποκαλύπτει ἡμῖν τὰ μυστήρια αὐτοῦ· καὶ ὑμεῖς τοσούτους κόπους ποιοῦντες, ἀγρυπνίας, ἡσυχίας καὶ ἀσκήσεις, λέγεις ὅτι Οὐδὲν θεωροῦμεν; Πάντως οὖν, εἰ οὐδὲν θεωρεῖτε, λογισμοὺς πονηροὺς ἔχετε εἰς τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν, τοὺς χωρίζοντας ὑμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ ὑμῶν, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο οὐκ ἀποκαλύπτεται ὑμῖν τὰ μυστήρια αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ἀπῆλθον, καὶ ἀνήγγειλα τοῖς γέρουσι τὰ ῥήματα τοῦ ἱερέως. Καὶ ἐθαύμασαν, καὶ εἶπαν ὅτι οὕτως ἐστίν. Οἱ γὰρ ἀκάθαρτοι λογισμοὶ χωρίζουσι τὸν Θεὸν ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Olympius said, “Once a pagan priest came down to Scetis and came to my cell and slept there; and observing the monks’ way of life, he says to me, ‘Living like this, do you see nothing from your God?’ And I say to him, ‘No.’ And the priest says to me, ‘Yet when we perform sacred rites to our god, he hides nothing from us but reveals his mysteries to us; and you, doing so many labors, vigils, stillness and ascetic practices, say, “We see nothing”? Surely, then, if you see nothing, you have evil thoughts in your hearts, which separate you from your God, and that is why his mysteries are not revealed to you.’ And I went and told the old men the priest’s words. And they marveled and said that it is so. For unclean thoughts separate God from man.” ### Scripture references - Isa 59:2: echo, low confidence - Matt 5:8: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 87.1 (PG 65:313; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/87-1). ## Olympius 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-87-2 - Source: PG 65:313–315 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Olympius cures his desire for a wife by working himself to exhaustion for a clay wife and daughter. ### Greek text Ὁ ἀββᾶς Ὀλύμπιος ὁ τῶν Κελλίων ἐπολεμήθη εἰς πορνείαν. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ λογισμός· Ὕπαγε, λάβε γυναῖκα. Καὶ ἀναστὰς ἐποίησε πηλὸν, καὶ ἔπλασε γυναῖκα, καὶ λέγει ἑαυτῷ· Ἰδοὺ ἡ γυνή σου· χρεία οὖν ἐργάζεσθαι πολλὰ, ἵνα θρέψεις αὐτὴν. Καὶ ἠργάζετο κοπιῶν πολλά. Καὶ μεθ᾽ ἡμέραν, πάλιν ποιήσας πηλὸν, ἔπλασεν ἑαυτῷ θυγατέρα, καὶ λέγει τῷ λογισμῷ αὐτοῦ· Ἔτεκεν ἡ γυνή σου χρείαν ἔχεις περισσότερον ἐργάσασθαι, ἵνα δυνηθῇς θρέψαι τὸ τέκνον σου, καὶ σκεπάσαι. Καὶ οὕτως ποιῶν ἔτηξεν ἑαυτὸν, καὶ λέγει τῷ λογισμῷ· Οὐκ ἔτι ἰσχύω ὑποφέρειν τὸν κόπον. Καὶ εἶπεν· Εἰ οὐκ ἰσχύεις ὑποφέρειν τὸν κόπον, μηδὲ γυναῖκα ζητήσῃς. Καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόπον αὐτοῦ, ἦρεν ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ τὸν πόλεμον, καὶ ἀνεπάη. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Olympius of the Cells was attacked by sexual temptation. And his thought says to him, “Go, take a wife.” And getting up he made clay and formed a woman, and says to himself, “Look, your wife; so you need to work hard to feed her.” And he worked, laboring much. And a day later, again making clay, he formed himself a daughter, and says to his thought, “Your wife has given birth; you need to work more to be able to feed your child and clothe her.” And doing so he wore himself out, and says to his thought, “I can no longer bear the labor.” And he said, “If you cannot bear the labor, do not seek a wife either.” And God, seeing his labor, took the war away from him, and he was at rest. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 87.2 (PG 65:313–315; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/87-2). ## Orsisius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-88-1 - Source: PG 65:315 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Orsisius warns that only those fired by God’s fear, like Joseph, can bear authority without dissolving. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ὀρσίσιος· Πλίνθος ὠμὴ, βαλλομένη εἰς θεμέλιον ἐγγὺς ποταμοῦ, οὐχ ὑπομένει μίαν ἡμέραν· ὀπτὴ δὲ, ὡς λίθος διαμένει. Οὕτως ἄνθρωπος σαρκικὸν φρόνημα ἔχων, καὶ μὴ πυρωθεὶς κατὰ τὸν Ἰωσὴφ τῷ φόβῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ, λύεται προελθὼν εἰς ἀρχήν. Πολλοὶ γὰρ τῶν τοιούτων οἱ πειρασμοὶ, ἐν μέσῳ ἀνθρώπων ὄντων Καλὸν δέ τινα εἰδότα τὰ ἴδια μέτρα, ἀποφεύγειν τὸ βάρος τῆς ἀρχῆς. Οἱ δὲ ἐδραῖοι τῇ πίστει, ἀμετακίνητοί εἰσι. Περὶ αὐτοῦ γὰρ τοῦ ἁγιωτάτου Ἰωσὴφ ἐὰν θελήσῃ τις λαλῆσαι, λέγει, ὅτι οὐκ ἐπίγειος ἦν. Πόσα ἐπειράσθη, καὶ ἐν ποίᾳ χώρᾳ, ὅπου οὐκ ἦν τότε ἴχνος θεοσεβείας; Ἀλλ᾽ ὁ Θεὸς τῶν πατέρων αὐτοῦ ἦν μετ' αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐξείλετο αὐτὸν ἐκ πάσης θλίψεως, καὶ νῦν ἐστι μετὰ τῶν πατέρων αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν. Καὶ ἡμεῖς τοίνυν ἐπιγνόντες τὰ ἑαυτῶν μέτρα, ἀγωνισώμεθα· μόλις γὰρ οὕτω δυνησόμεθα ἐκφυγεῖν τὴν κρίσιν τοῦ Θεοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Orsisius said, “An unbaked brick laid in a foundation near a river does not last a single day; but baked, it lasts like stone. So a man with a fleshly mind, not fired like Joseph by the fear of God, is dissolved when he comes to a position of authority. For the temptations of such people are many when they are among men. It is good for someone who knows his own measure to flee the burden of authority. But those firm in faith are immovable. For if anyone wishes to speak of the most holy Joseph himself, he would say that he was not earthly. How much was he tempted, and in what land, where there was then no trace of godliness? But the God of his fathers was with him and rescued him from every affliction, and now he is with his fathers in the kingdom of heaven. So let us too, knowing our own measures, strive; for only so shall we barely be able to escape the judgment of God.” ### Scripture references - Gen 39:12: allusion, medium confidence - Acts 7:9: allusion, high confidence - Acts 7:10: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Joseph in Egypt: Gen 39; Acts 7:9–10. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 88.1 (PG 65:315; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/88-1). ## Orsisius 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-88-2 - Source: PG 65:315 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Orsisius compares a negligent soul to an untended lamp whose wick a mouse drags out, though God may restore the well-disposed. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Νομίζω ἐὰν μὴ ἄνθρωπος φυλάξῃ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ καρδίαν καλῶς, πάντα ὅσα ἤκουσεν ἐπιλανθάνεται καὶ ἀμελεῖ· καὶ οὕτως ὁ ἐχθρὸς εὑρὼν ἐν αὐτῷ τόπον, καταβάλλει αὐτόν. Ὥσπερ γὰρ λύχνος σκευασθεὶς καὶ φαίνων, ἐὰν ἀμεληθῇ λαβεῖν ἔλαιον, κατ᾿ ὀλίγον σβέννυται, καὶ λοιπὸν ἐνδυναμοῦται τὸ σκότος κατ᾿ αὐτοῦ· οὐ μόνον δὲ, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἕνι ὅταν καὶ μῆς περὶ αὐτὸν ἐρχόμενος καὶ ζητῶν τὸ ἐλλύχνιον καταφαγεῖν, πρὸ μὲν τοῦ σβεσθῆναι τὸ ἔλαιον, οὐ δύναται ἐὰν δὲ ἴδῃ ὅτι οὐ μόνον φῶς οὐκ ἔχει, ἀλλ᾽ οὐδὲ θέρμην πυρὸς, τότε τὸ ἐλλύχνιον ἀνασπάσαι θέλων, καταβάλλει καὶ τὸν λύχνον· καὶ ἐὰν μὲν ἡ ὀστράκινον, συντρίβεται· ἐὰν δὲ χαλκοῦν εὑρεθῇ, ὑπὸ τοῦ οἰκοδεσπότου σκευάζεται ἄνωθεν· οὕτως ἀμελούσης ψυχῆς, ὅσον ὅσον τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον ὑποχωρεῖ, ἕως τέλεον ἀποσβεσθῇ τῆς θέρμης αὐτῆς· καὶ λοιπὸν ὁ ἐχθρὸς, καταφαγὼν τὴν προθυμίαν τῆς ψυχῆς, καὶ τὸ σῶμα ἀφανίζει κακία. Ἐὰν δὲ ἡ ἐκεῖνος καλὸς τῇ διαθέσει πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, ἁπλῶς δὲ ἡρπάγει εἰς ἀμέλειαν, ὁ Θεὸς ὡς οἰκτίρμων, βαλὼν εἰς αὐτὸν τὸν φόβον αὐτοῦ, καὶ τῶν κολάσεων τὴν μνήμην, παρασκευάζει νήφειν αὐτὸν, καὶ τηρεῖν ἑαυτὸν εἰς τὰ ἔμπροσθεν μετὰ ἀσφαλείας πολλῆς, ἕως τῆς ἐπισκοπῆς αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “I think that unless a man guards his heart well, he forgets and neglects everything he has heard; and so the enemy, finding a place in him, overthrows him. For as a lamp that has been prepared and is shining, if one neglects to put oil in it, is little by little extinguished, and then the darkness prevails over it; and not only that, but sometimes a mouse comes around it seeking to eat the wick; before the oil is extinguished it cannot, but if it sees that it has not only no light but not even the warmth of fire, then, wanting to pull out the wick, it knocks over the lamp too; and if it is of clay, it breaks; but if it is found to be bronze, it is restored by the master of the house. So it is with a neglectful soul: little by little the Holy Spirit withdraws, until its warmth is completely extinguished; and then the enemy, having eaten up the soul’s eagerness, destroys the body too by wickedness. But if that man is good in disposition toward God and has simply been carried away into negligence, God in his compassion, putting into him his fear and the memory of punishments, prepares him to be watchful and to guard himself in future with great care, until his visitation.” ### Scripture references - Prov 4:23: echo, low confidence - Matt 25:8: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Variant notes at the end are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 88.2 (PG 65:315; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/88-2). ## Poemen 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-89-1 - Source: PG 65:317 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen walks back a long way rather than open his door before asking his forgotten question, and is told his name will be famous. ### Greek text Ἀπῆλθέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτε ἦν νεώτερος, πρός τινα γέροντα, ἐρωτῆσαι αὐτῷ τρεῖς λογισμούς. Ὡς οὖν ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν γέροντα, ἐληθάργησεν ἕνα ἐκ τῶν τριῶν· καὶ ἀνέκαμψεν εἰς τὸ κελλίον ἑαυτοῦ· καὶ ὡς ἔθηκε τὴν χεῖρα ἀνοῖξαι τὸ κλειδίον, ἐμνήσθη τὸν λόγον ὃν ἐληθάργησε· καὶ ἀφῆκε τὸ κλειδίον, καὶ ἀνέκαμψε πρὸς τὸν γέροντα. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἐτάχυνας τοῦ ἐλθεῖν, ἀδελφέ. Καὶ διηγήσατο αὐτῷ, ὅτι ὅτε ἔθηκα τὴν χεῖρά μου λαβεῖν τὸ κλειδίον, ἐμνήσθην τὸν λόγον ὃν ἐζήτουν, καὶ οὐκ ἤνοιξα, διὰ τοῦτο ἀνέκαμψα. Ἦν δὲ τὸ μῆκος τῆς ὁδοῦ πολὺ σφόδρα. Ἔλεγε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἀγγέλων Ποιμήν· καὶ λαληθήσεταί σου τὸ ὄνομα ἐν πάσῃ γῇ Αἰγύπτου. ### English translation (Claude) Once when abba Poemen was young, he went to an old man to ask him about three thoughts. When he came to the old man, he forgot one of the three; and he went back to his cell; and as he put his hand to open the lock, he remembered the word he had forgotten; and he left the lock and went back to the old man. And the old man says to him, “You came back quickly, brother.” And he told him, “When I put my hand to take the key, I remembered the word I was seeking, and I did not open; that is why I came back.” The length of the road was very great. And the old man said to him, “Poemen, shepherd of angels, your name will be spoken in all the land of Egypt.” ### Translation notes - “Shepherd of angels” (Ἀγγέλων Ποιμήν) plays on the name Poemen, “shepherd”; the Greek is compressed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.1 (PG 65:317; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-1). ## Poemen 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-89-2 - Source: PG 65:317 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Ammonas tells Poemen, troubled by his brother’s friendship, to think himself a year dead. ### Greek text Ἔσχε ποτὲ Παήσιος ὁ ἀδελφὸς τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος σχέσιν μετά τινος ἔξω τοῦ κελλίου αὐτοῦ. Ὁ δὲ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν οὐκ ἤθελε, καὶ ἀναστὰς ἔφυγε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀμμωνᾶν, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Παήσιος ὁ ἀδελφός μου ἔχει πρός τινα σχέσιν, καὶ οὐκ ἀναπαύομαι. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀμμωνᾶς· Ποιμὴν, ἀκμὴν ζῇς; Ὕπαγε, κάθου εἰς τὸ κελλίον σου, καὶ θὲς εἰς τὴν καρδίαν σου, ὅτι ἤδη ἔχεις ἐνιαυτὸν ἐν τῷ μνήματι. ### English translation (Claude) Once Paësius, abba Poemen’s brother, had a relationship with someone outside his cell. Abba Poemen did not want it, and getting up he fled to abba Ammonas and says to him, “Paësius my brother has a relationship with someone, and I have no rest.” Abba Ammonas says to him, “Poemen, are you still alive? Go, sit in your cell, and put it in your heart that you have already been a year in the tomb.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.2 (PG 65:317; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-2). ## Poemen 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-89-3 - Source: PG 65:317 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen does not answer about inviting the presbyters, saying a dead man does not speak. ### Greek text Ἦλθόν ποτε πρεσβύτεροι τῆς χώρας εἰς τὰ μοναστήρια ὅπου ἦν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· καὶ εἰσῆλθεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀνοὺβ, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ Καλέσωμεν τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους ὧδε σήμερον. Καὶ στάντος αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ πολὺ, οὐκ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ἀπόκρισιν. Καὶ λυπηθεὶς ἐξῆλθε. Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ οἱ καθήμενοι ἐγγὺς αὐτοῦ· Ἀββᾶ, διατί οὐκ ἔδωκας αὐτῷ ἀπόκρισιν; Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Ἐγὼ πρᾶγμα οὐκ ἔχω· ἀπέθανον γάρ· ὁ δὲ νεκρὸς οὐ λαλεῖ ### English translation (Claude) Once presbyters of the region came to the monasteries where abba Poemen was; and abba Anoub went in and says to him, “Let us invite the presbyters here today.” And though he stood there a long time, Poemen gave him no answer. And he went out grieved. Those sitting near him say to him, “Abba, why did you give him no answer?” Abba Poemen says to them, “It is not my affair; for I am dead; and a dead man does not speak.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.3 (PG 65:317; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-3). ## Poemen 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-89-4 - Source: PG 65:317–319 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen heals an elder’s jealousy by humbly visiting him with food and waiting at his door. ### Greek text Γέρων τις ἦν ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ πρὸ τοῦ ἐλθεῖν τοὺς περὶ τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, καὶ εἶχε γνῶσιν καὶ τιμὴν πολλήν. Ὡς οὖν ἀνέβησαν οἱ περὶ τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα ἀπὸ τῆς Σκήτεως, ἀφῆκαν αὐτὸν οἱ ἄνθρωποι, καὶ ἤρχοντο πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα. Καὶ ἐθλίβετο καὶ λέγει τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς αὐτοῦ· Τί ποιήσωμεν τῷ μεγάλῳ γέροντι τούτῳ, ὅτι εἰς θλίψιν ἔβαλον ἡμᾶς οἱ ἄνθρωποι, καταλιπόντες τὸν γέροντα, καὶ ἡμῖν μηδὲν οὖσι προσέχοντες; πῶς οὖν δυνάμεθα θεραπεῦσαι τὸν γέροντα; Λέγει δὲ αὐτοῖς· Ποιήσατε μικρὰ βρώματα, καὶ λάβετε σαΐτην οἴνου καὶ ἄγωμεν πρὸς αὐτὸν, γευσώμεθα ὁμοῦ· τάχα ἐν τούτῳ δυνησώμεθα θεραπεῦσαι αὐτόν. Ἐβάστασαν οὖν τὰ βρώματα, καὶ ἀπῆλθον. Καὶ ὡς ἔκρουσαν τὴν θύραν, ἐπήκουσεν ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ, λέγων· Τίνες ἐστέ; Οἱ δὲ εἶπον· Λάλησον τῷ ἀββᾷ, ὅτι ὁ Ποιμήν ἐστι θέλων εὐλογηθῆναι παρὰ σοῦ. Καὶ τοῦτο τοῦ μαθητοῦ ἀναγγείλαντος, ἐδήλωσεν, εἰπών· Ὕπαγε, οὐ σχολάζω. Οἱ δὲ ὑπέμειναν εἰς τὸ καῦμα, λέγοντες Οὐκ ἀναχωροῦμεν, ἐὰν μὴ καταξιωθῶμεν τοῦ γέροντος. Ὁ δὲ γέρων, ἰδὼν τὴν ταπείνωσιν αὐτῶν καὶ τὴν ὑπομονὴν, κατανυγεὶς, ἀνέωξεν αὐτοῖς. Καὶ εἰσελθόντες ἐγεύσαντο μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ. Ἐσθιόντων δὲ αὐτῶν, ἔλεγε· Ἐπ᾿ ἀληθείας, οὐκ εἰσὶ μόνα ἃ ἀκήκοα περὶ ὑμῶν, ἀλλ᾿ ἑκατονταπλασίονα εἶδον ἐν τῷ ἔργῳ ὑμῶν. Ἐγένετο δὲ αὐτῶν φίλος ἀπὸ τῆς ἡμέρας ἐκείνης. ### English translation (Claude) There was an old man in Egypt before abba Poemen’s company came, and he had great reputation and honor. When abba Poemen’s company came up from Scetis, people left him and came to abba Poemen. And he was distressed, and says to his brothers, “What shall we do about this great old man? For people have put us in distress by leaving the old man and paying attention to us, who are nothing. How then can we heal the old man?” And he says to them, “Make a little food, and take a jar of wine, and let us go to him and eat together; perhaps in this way we can heal him.” So they carried the food and went. When they knocked at the door, his disciple heard and said, “Who are you?” They said, “Tell the abba that it is Poemen, wanting to be blessed by him.” When the disciple reported this, he sent word, saying, “Go, I have no time.” But they waited in the heat, saying, “We will not go away unless we are counted worthy of the old man.” The old man, seeing their humility and patience, was pierced to the heart and opened to them. And going in they ate with him. As they were eating, he said, “Truly, what I have heard about you is not all; I have seen a hundredfold in your work.” And he became their friend from that day. ### Translation notes - Variant notes and a variant passage (on the old man’s envy) are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.4 (PG 65:317–319; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-4). ## Poemen 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-89-5 - Source: PG 65:319 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen refuses to intervene even for his nephew, telling the magistrate to judge him by the law. ### Greek text Ἠθέλησέ ποτε ὁ ἄρχων τῆς χώρας ἐκείνης ἰδεῖν τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, καὶ οὐ κατεδέχετο ὁ γέρων. Προφάσει δὲ ὡς κακοῦργον κατέσχε τὸν υἱὸν τῆς ἀδελφῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔβαλεν εἰς φυλακὴν, λέγων· Ἐὰν ἔλθῃ ὁ γέρων, καὶ παρακαλέσῃ ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ, ἐγὼ ἀπολύω αὐτόν. Καὶ ἦλθεν ἡ ἀδελφὴ αὐτοῦ κλαίουσα πρὸς τῇ θύρᾳ. Ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἔδωκεν αὐτῇ ἀπόκρισιν. Ἡ δὲ ἐλοιδόρει αὐτὸν, λέγουσα· Χαλκόσπλαγχνε, ἐλέησόν με, ὅτι μονογενής μοί ἐστιν. Ὁ δὲ πέμψας εἶπεν αὐτῇ· Ποιμὴν τέκνα οὐκ ἐγέννησε. Καὶ οὕτως ἀνεχώρησεν. Ακούσας δὲ ἄρχων, ἔπεμψε λέγων· Κἂν λόγῳ κελεύσῃ, ἀπολύω αὐτόν. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἀντεδήλωσε, λέγων· Ἐξέτασον κατὰ τοὺς νόμους· καὶ εἰ ἄξιός ἐστι θανάτου, ἀποθανέτω· εἰ δὲ οὐκ ἔστιν, ὡς βούλει ποίησον ### English translation (Claude) Once the magistrate of that region wanted to see abba Poemen, and the old man would not consent. So on a pretext he arrested his sister’s son as a criminal and put him in prison, saying, “If the old man comes and intercedes for him, I will release him.” And his sister came weeping to the door. But he gave her no answer. She abused him, saying, “Heart of bronze, have pity on me, for he is my only son.” He sent word to her, “Poemen has begotten no children.” And so she went away. Hearing this, the magistrate sent word, saying, “If he even gives the order by word, I will release him.” But the old man sent back word, saying, “Examine him according to the laws; and if he deserves death, let him die; but if not, do as you wish.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.5 (PG 65:319; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-5). ## Poemen 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-89-6 - Source: PG 65:319–321 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen restores a brother expelled on an anchorite’s word and moves the anchorite to repent by a parable of two mourners. ### Greek text Ἐσφάλη ποτὲ ἀδελφὸς ἐν κοινοβίῳ· ἦν δὲ ἐν τοῖς τόποις ἐκείνοις ἀναχωρητής· καὶ πολλῷ χρόνῳ οὐ προῆλθεν. Ἐλθὼν δὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς τοῦ κοινοβίου πρὸς τὸν γέροντα, ἀνήγγειλεν αὐτῷ περὶ τοῦ σφαλέντος. Ὁ δὲ εἶπε· Διώξατε αὐτόν. Ἐξελθὼν δὲ ὁ ἀδελφὸς τοῦ κοινοβίου, εἰσῆλθεν εἰς χαράδραν, καὶ ἔκλαιεν ἐκεῖ. Εὐκαίρησαν δὲ ἀδελφοὶ ἀπερχόμενοι πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, καὶ ἤκουσαν αὐτοῦ κλαίοντος· καὶ εἰσελθόντες εὖρον αὐτὸν ἐν μεγάλῳ πόνῳ· καὶ παρεκάλεσαν αὐτὸν ἆραι πρὸς τὸν γέροντα. Καὶ οὐκ ἤθελε, λέγων· Ὧδε ἐγὼ ἀποθνήσκω. Ἐλθόντες δὲ πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα διηγήσαντο αὐτῷ. Καὶ παρακαλέσας αὐτοὺς, ἀπέστειλε λέγων· Εἴπατε αὐτῷ, ὅτι Ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν φωνεῖ σε. Ἦλθε δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ ἀδελφός· καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν ὁ γέρων τεθλιμμένον, ἀναστὰς ἡσπάσατο, καὶ χαριεντιζόμενος μετ' αὐτοῦ, παρεκάλεσε γεύσασθαι. Απέστειλε δὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ τινα πρὸς τὸν ἀναχωρητὴν, λέγων· Ἐκ πολλῶν ἐτῶν ἐπεθύμουν σε ἰδεῖν, ἀκούων τὰ περὶ σοῦ, καὶ ἀπὸ ὀκνηρίας ἀμφοτέρων οὐ συνετύχομεν ἀλλήλοις. Νῦν οὖν Θεοῦ θέλοντος, καὶ ἀφορμῆς γενομένης, σκύλθητι ἕως τῶν ὧδε καὶ βλέπομεν ἀλλήλους. ἦν δὲ μὴ ἐξερχόμενος ἐκ τοῦ κελλίου αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἀκούσας ἔλεγεν· Εἰ μὴ ὁ Θεὸς ἐπληροφόρησε τὸν γέροντα, οὐκ ἂν ἔπεμψεν ἐπ᾿ ἐμέ. Καὶ ἀναστὰς ἦλθε πρὸς αὐτόν. Καὶ ἀσπασάμενοι ἀλλήλους μετὰ χαρᾶς ἐκάθισαν. Εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Δύο ἄνθρωποι ἦσαν ἐν τόπῳ τινὶ καὶ ἀμφότεροι νεκροὺς εἶχον· ἀφῆκε δὲ ὁ εἷς τὸν νεκρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀπῆλθε κλαῦσαι τὸν τοῦ ἑτέρου. Ακούσας δὲ ὁ γέρων κατενύγη ἐπὶ τῷ λόγῳ, καὶ ἐμνήσθη ὅ ἐποίησε, καὶ εἶπεν· Ποιμὴν, ἄνω δὲ εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν· ἐγὼ δὲ κάτω κάτω εἰς τὴν γῆν. ### English translation (Claude) Once a brother in a community committed a fault; and there was an anchorite in those parts who had not come out for a long time. The abba of the community came to the old man and told him about the one who had sinned. He said, “Drive him out.” The brother went out of the community, went into a ravine, and wept there. Some brothers going to abba Poemen happened to hear him weeping; and going in, they found him in great distress; and they urged him to come with them to the old man. But he would not, saying, “Here I will die.” Coming to abba Poemen, they told him about it. And he urged them and sent them, saying, “Tell him, ‘Abba Poemen is calling you.’” The brother came to him; and seeing him afflicted, the old man got up, embraced him, and talking cheerfully with him, urged him to eat. And abba Poemen sent one of his brothers to the anchorite, saying, “For many years I have wanted to see you, hearing about you, and through the sluggishness of both of us we have not met. So now, since God wills it and an occasion has arisen, take the trouble to come here, and let us see each other.” He did not go out of his cell; but hearing this he said, “If God had not assured the old man, he would not have sent for me.” And getting up he came to him. And greeting each other with joy they sat down. And abba Poemen said to him, “There were two men in a certain place, and both had someone dead; but one left his own dead and went to weep for the other’s.” Hearing this, the old man was pierced to the heart at the word, and remembered what he had done, and said, “Poemen is up above in heaven; but I am down, down on the earth.” ### Scripture references - Matt 7:3: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - A variant note is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.6 (PG 65:319–321; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-6). ## Poemen 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/76-1/#p-89-7 - Source: PG 65:321 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Brought to Poemen among all the brothers, a deformed child is healed when Poemen too makes the sign of the cross. ### Greek text Παρέβαλόν ποτε γέροντες πολλοὶ τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι καὶ ἰδοὺ τις τῶν τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος εἶχε παιδίον, καὶ τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ κατ᾿ ἐνέργειαν ἐστράφη ὀπίσω. Καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ τὸ πλῆθος τῶν Πατέρων, λαβὼν τὸ παιδίον ἔξω τοῦ μοναστηρίου ἐκάθητο κλαίων. Εὐκαίρησε δέ τινι γέροντι ἐξελθεῖν· καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν εἶπε· Τί κλαίεις, ἄνθρωπε; Ὁ δὲ εἶπε· Συγγενής εἰμι τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος· καὶ ἰδοὺ συνέβη τῷ παιδίῳ τούτῳ ὁ πειρασμὸς οὗτος καὶ θέλοντες τῷ γέροντι προσενεγκεῖν αὐτὸ, ἐφοβήθημεν· οὐ γὰρ θέλει ἰδεῖν ἡμᾶς. Καὶ νῦν ἐὰν μάθῃ ὅτι ὧδέ εἰμι, πέμπει καὶ διώκει με· ἐγὼ δὲ βλέπων τὴν παρουσίαν ὑμῶν, ἐτόλμησα ἐλθεῖν. Ὡς θέλεις οὖν, ἀββᾶ, ἐλέησόν με, καὶ λάβε τὸ παιδίον ἔσω, καὶ εὔξασθε περὶ δὲ αὐτοῦ. Καὶ λαβὼν αὐτὸ ὁ γέρων εἰσῆλθε, καὶ ἐχρήσατο φρονίμως, καὶ οὐ προσήνεγκεν αὐτὸ εὐθέως τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι, ἀλλὰ ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ τῶν μικροτέρων ἀδελφῶν, ἔλεγε· Σφραγίσατε τὸ παιδίον. Ποιήσας δὲ πάντας κατὰ ἀκολουθίαν σφραγῖσαι αὐτὸ, ὕστερον ἤνεγκε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι. Ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἤθελε αὐτὸ ἐγγίσαι Οἱ δὲ παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν, λέγοντες· Ωσπερ πάντες, καὶ σὺ Πάτερ. Καὶ στενάξας, ἀναστὰς εὔξατο, λέγων· Ὁ Θεὸς, ἴασαι τὸ πλάσμα σου, ἵνα μὴ κυριευθῇ ὑπὸ τοῦ ἐχθροῦ. Καὶ σφραγίσας αὐτὸ εὐθέως ἐθεράπευσε, καὶ ἀπἐδωκε τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ ὑγιές. ### English translation (Claude) Once many old men visited abba Poemen, and look, one of abba Poemen’s relatives had a child whose face had been turned backward by the working of the devil. Seeing the crowd of Fathers, the father took the child and sat outside the monastery weeping. One old man happened to come out; and seeing him he said, “Why are you weeping, man?” He said, “I am a relative of abba Poemen; and look, this trouble has come upon this child; and wanting to bring it to the old man, we were afraid, for he does not want to see us. And now if he learns that I am here, he will send and drive me away; but seeing your presence, I dared to come. So, as you wish, abba, have mercy on me, and take the child inside, and pray for it.” The old man took it and went in, and acted wisely: he did not bring it at once to abba Poemen, but beginning with the youngest brothers he said, “Make the sign of the cross over the child.” Having had them all sign it in turn, he finally brought it to abba Poemen. He would not touch it. But they begged him, saying, “Like everyone else, you too, father.” And groaning, he got up and prayed, saying, “O God, heal your creature, so that it may not be ruled by the enemy.” And signing it, he healed it at once and gave it back healthy to its father. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.7 (PG 65:321; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-7). ## Poemen 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-8 - Source: PG 65:321–323 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen will not discuss heavenly matters with a visiting anchorite but helps him gladly once he asks about the passions. ### Greek text Ἀπῆλθέ τις ἀδελφός ποτε ἀπὸ τῶν μερῶν τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος ἐπὶ ξένης· καὶ κατήντησε πρός τινα ἀναχωρητὴν ἐκεῖ· ἦν γὰρ ἔχων ἀγάπην, καὶ πολλοὶ ἤρχοντο πρὸς αὐτόν. Ανήγγειλε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφὸς τὰ περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος. Καὶ ἀκούσας τὴν ἀρετὴν αὐτοῦ ἐπεπόθησεν αὐτὸν ἰδεῖν. Ἀνακάμψαντος δὲ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ εἰς Αἴγυπτον, μετὰ χρόνον τινὰ ἀναστὰς ὁ ἀναχωρητής, ἦλθεν ἀπὸ τῆς ξένης εἰς Αἴγυπτον πρὸς τὸν ποτε παραβαλόντα αὐτῷ ἀδελφόν· ἦν γὰρ εἰπὼν αὐτῷ ποῦ μένει. Ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτὸν ἐκεῖνος ἐθαύμασε, καὶ ἐχάρη λίαν. Εἶπε δὲ ὁ ἀναχωρητης Ποίησον ἀγάπην, ἆρόν με πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα. Καὶ λαβὼν αὐτὸν ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν γέροντα, καὶ ἀνήγγειλεν αὐτῷ τὰ περὶ αὐτοῦ, λέγων, ὅτι Μέγας ἄνθρωπός ἐστι, καὶ πολλὴν ἀγάπην ἔχων, καὶ πολλὴν τιμὴν εἰς τὴν χώραν αὐτοῦ. Ἀνήγγειλα δὲ αὐτῷ περὶ σοῦ, καὶ ἐπιθυμῶν ἰδεῖν σε ἦλθεν. Ἐδέξατο οὖν αὐτὸν μετὰ χαρᾶς, καὶ ἀσπασάμενοι ἀλλήλους ἐκάθισαν. Καὶ ἤρξατο ὁ ξενικὸς λαλεῖν ἀπὸ τῆς Γραφῆς, περὶ πνευματικῶν καὶ οὐρανίων. Ἔστρεψε δὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ἀπόκρισιν. Ἰδὼν δὲ ὅτι οὐ λαλεῖ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ, λυπηθεὶς ἐξῆλθε, καὶ λέγει τῷ ἀδελφῷ τῷ ἐνέγκαντι αὐτόν· Εἰς μάτην ἐποίησα ὅλην τὴν ἀποδημίαν ταύτην. Ἦλθον γὰρ πρὸς τὸν γέροντα καὶ ἰδοὺ οὐδὲ λαλῆσαι θέλει μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ. Εἰσῆλθε δὲ ὁ ἀδελφὸς πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, διὰ σὲ ἦλθεν ὁ μέγας ἄνθρωπος οὗτος, ἔχων τοσαύτην δόξαν ἄνω εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ· καὶ διατί οὐκ ἐλάλησας μετ' αὐτοῦ; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Αὐτὸς τῶν ἄνω ἐστὶ, καὶ ἐπουράνια λαλεῖ, ἐγὼ δὲ τῶν κάτω εἰμὶ, καὶ ἐπίγεια λαλῶ. Εἰ ἐλάλησέ μοι περὶ παθῶν ψυχῆς, ἐγὼ ἂν ἀπεκρινάμην αὐτῷ· εἰ δὲ περὶ πνευματικῶν, ἐγὼ ταῦτα οὐκ οἶδα. Ἐξελθὼν οὖν ὁ ἀδελφὸς εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ὁ γέρων οὐ ταχέως ἀπὸ Γραφῆς λαλεῖ· ἀλλ᾿ ἐὰν τις αὐτῷ λαλῇ περὶ παθῶν ψυχῆς, ἀποκρίνεται αὐτῷ. Ὁ δὲ κατανυγεὶς εἰσῆλθε πρὸς τὸν γέροντα, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Τί ποιήσω, ἀββᾶ, ὅτι κατακυριεύουσί μου τὰ πάθη τῆς ψυχῆς; Καὶ προσέσχεν αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων χαίρων, καὶ εἶπεν· Ἄρτι καλῶς ἦλθες νῦν ἄνοιξόν σου τὸ στόμα περὶ τούτων, καὶ πληρώσω αὐτὸ ἀγαθῶν. Ὁ δὲ πολλὰ ὠφεληθεὶς ἔλεγεν Ὄντως αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ ἀληθινὴ ὁδός. Καὶ εὐχαριστῶν τῷ Θεῷ ἀνέκαμψεν εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν χώραν, ὅτι τοιούτῳ ἁγίῳ κατηξιώθη συντυχεῖν. ### English translation (Claude) Once a brother from abba Poemen’s parts went abroad; and he came to an anchorite there; for he had love, and many came to him. The brother told him about abba Poemen. And hearing of his virtue, he longed to see him. After the brother had returned to Egypt, some time later the anchorite got up and came from abroad to Egypt, to the brother who had once visited him; for he had told him where he lived. Seeing him, he was amazed and very glad. And the anchorite said, “Do me a kindness: take me to abba Poemen.” And taking him he came to the old man, and told him about him, saying, “He is a great man, with much love and much honor in his country. I told him about you, and he has come wanting to see you.” So he received him with joy, and greeting each other they sat down. And the stranger began to speak from Scripture about spiritual and heavenly things. But abba Poemen turned his face away and gave him no answer. Seeing that he did not speak with him, he went out grieved and says to the brother who had brought him, “I have made this whole journey in vain. For I came to the old man, and look, he will not even speak with me.” The brother went in to abba Poemen and says to him, “Abba, this great man, who has so much glory in his own place, came for your sake; why did you not speak with him?” The old man says to him, “He is of those above and speaks of heavenly things; but I am of those below and speak of earthly things. If he had spoken to me about the passions of the soul, I would have answered him; but about spiritual things, I do not know them.” So the brother went out and said to him, “The old man does not readily speak from Scripture; but if someone speaks to him about the passions of the soul, he answers him.” Pierced to the heart, he went in to the old man and says to him, “What shall I do, abba, for the passions of the soul master me?” And the old man looked at him with joy and said, “Now you have come well; now open your mouth about these things, and I will fill it with good things.” And greatly helped, he said, “Truly this is the true way.” And giving thanks to God he returned to his own country, because he had been counted worthy to meet such a saint. ### Scripture references - John 3:31: echo, low confidence - Ps 81:10 (80:11 LXX): echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. Cf. John 3:31; Ps 81:10 (LXX 80:11). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.8 (PG 65:321–323; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8). ## Poemen 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-9 - Source: PG 65:323 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen prays that his plea for a prisoner will fail, lest he become a sought-after intercessor, and rejoices when it does. ### Greek text Ἐκράτησε ποτε ὁ ἄρχων τῆς χώρας τινὰ τῆς κώμης τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος καὶ ἦλθον πάντες παρακαλοῦντες τὸν γέροντα ἀπελθεῖν καὶ ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτόν. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ἐάσατέ με τρεῖς ἡμέρας, καὶ οὗτως ἔρχομαι. Εὔξατο οὖν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν πρὸς Κύριον, λέγων· Κύριε, μὴ δῷς μοι τὴν χάριν ταύτην. Ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἀφιοῦσί με καθίσαι ἐν τῷ τόπῳ τούτῳ. Ἦλθεν οὖν ὁ γέρων παρακαλῶν τὸν ἄρχοντα. Ὁ δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ἔφη· Περὶ λῃστοῦ παρακαλεῖς, ἀββᾶ; Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἐχάρη, ὅτι οὐκ ἐδέξατο χάριν παρ' αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Once the magistrate of the region arrested someone from abba Poemen’s village, and everyone came begging the old man to go and get him released. He said, “Give me three days, and then I will come.” So abba Poemen prayed to the Lord, saying, “Lord, do not grant me this favor; otherwise they will not let me live in this place.” So the old man came and pleaded with the magistrate. And he said to him, “Do you plead for a robber, abba?” And the old man rejoiced that he had not received a favor from him. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.9 (PG 65:323; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-9). ## Poemen 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-10 - Source: PG 65:323 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen makes his brothers fetch back their linen work from a merchant who bought it out of charity, refusing to profit at his loss. ### Greek text Διηγήσαντό τίνες, ὅτι ποτὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ εἰργάζοντο σκολάκιν καὶ οὐ προεχώρει, μὴ ἔχοντες ἀγοράσαι λινάρια. Καί τις αὐτῶν ἀγαπητὸς διηγήσατό τινι πραγματευτῇ πιστῷ τὸ πρᾶγμα. Ὁ δὲ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν οὐκ ἤθελε λαμβάνειν παρά τινός τί ποτε, διὰ τὴν ὄχλησιν. Ὁ δὲ πραγματευτής θέλων ποιῆσαι ἔργον τῷ γέροντι, προεφασίζετο χρείαν ἔχειν τῶν σκολακίων, καὶ ἤνεγκε τὴν κάμηλον, καὶ ἔλαβεν αὐτά. Καὶ ἐλθὼν ὁ ἀδελφὸς πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, καὶ ἀκούσας ὁ ἐποίησεν ὁ πραγματευτής, ὡς θέλων ἐπαινέσαι αὐτὸν, εἶπε· Φύσει, ἀββᾶ, καὶ μὴ χρήζων αὐτὰ ἔλαβεν, ἵνα ποιήσῃ ἡμῖν ἔργον. Ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν ὅτι μὴ χρήζων αὐτὰ ἔλαβεν, εἶπε τῷ ἀδελφῷ· Ἀνάστα, μίσθωσαι κάμηλον, καὶ φέρε αὐτά ἐὰν δὲ οὐκ ἐνέγκης αὐτὰ, Ποιμὴν ὧδε οὐ καθέζεται μεθ' ὑμῶν. Οὐ γὰρ ἀδικῶ τινα ἄνθρωπον μὴ χρήζοντα, ἵνα ζημίαν ποιήσῃ, καὶ λάβῃ τὸ κέρδος μου. Καὶ ἀπῆλθεν ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ μετὰ πολλοῦ κόπου, καὶ ἤνεγκεν αὐτά· εἰ δὲ μὴ, ὁ γέρων ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν ἀνεχώρει. Ὡς οὖν εἶδεν αὐτὰ, ἐχάρη, ὡσεὶ μέγαν εὑρὼν θησαυρόν. ### English translation (Claude) Some related that once abba Poemen and his brothers were making linen work and it was not going well, since they had nothing to buy linen with. And one of their friends told the matter to a faithful merchant. Abba Poemen did not want to take anything from anyone, because of the trouble. But the merchant, wanting to do the old man a service, pretended to need the linen work, and brought his camel and took it. And the brother came to abba Poemen, and having heard what the merchant had done, wanting to praise him, he said, “Truly, abba, he took it without needing it, to do us a service.” When abba Poemen heard that he had taken it without needing it, he said to the brother, “Get up, hire a camel and bring it back; and if you do not bring it back, Poemen will not stay here with you. For I will not wrong a man who has no need, so that he suffers loss and takes my gain.” And his brother went with great labor and brought it back; otherwise the old man would have left them. When he saw it, he rejoiced as though he had found a great treasure. ### Translation notes - σκολάκιν is some kind of linen work; a variant note is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.10 (PG 65:323; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-10). ## Poemen 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-11 - Source: PG 65:323–325 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen leads a presbyter who expelled careless monks to admit his own sin and restore them. ### Greek text Ἤκουσέ ποτε ὁ πρεσβύτερος τοῦ Πηλουσίου περί τινων ἀδελφῶν, ὅτι συνεχῶς εἰς τὴν πόλιν εἰσὶ, καὶ λούονται, καὶ ἀμελοῦσιν ἑαυτῶν· καὶ ἐλθὼν εἰς τὴν σύναξιν, ἦρεν ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν τὸ σχῆμα. Καὶ μετὰ τοῦτο ἔτυψεν αὐτὸν ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ, καὶ μετεμελήθη, καὶ ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, μεθύων τοῖς λογισμοῖς, βαστάζων καὶ τοὺς λεβήτωνας τῶν ἀδελφῶν, καὶ ἀναγγέλλει τὸ πρᾶγμα τῷ γέροντι. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Οὐκ ἔχεις σύ τί ποτε τοῦ παλαιοῦ ἀνθρώπου; ἀπεδύσω αὐτόν; Ὁ δὲ πρεσβύτερος εἶπεν, ὅτι Μετέχω τοῦ παλαιοῦ ἀνθρώπου. Ὁ δὲ γέρων εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἰδοὺ οὖν καὶ σὺ ὡς οἱ ἀδελφοί. Εἰ γὰρ μικρὸν μετέχεις τῆς παλαιότητος, ὅμως ὑπόκεισαι τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ. Τότε ἀπελθὼν ὁ πρεσβύτερος ἐκάλεσε τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς, καὶ μετενόησε τοῖς ἕνδεκα, καὶ ἐνέδυσεν αὐτοὺς τὸ σχῆμα τοῦ μοναχοῦ, καὶ ἀπέλυσεν. ### English translation (Claude) Once the presbyter of Pelusium heard about some brothers that they were constantly in the city, bathing and neglecting themselves; and coming to the synaxis, he took the habit from them. Afterward his heart smote him, and he repented, and came to abba Poemen, drunk with his thoughts, carrying the brothers’ tunics too, and tells the matter to the old man. And the old man says to him, “Have you nothing of the old man? Have you put him off?” The presbyter said, “I have a share of the old man.” The old man said to him, “Look then, you too are like the brothers. For if you share even a little of the oldness, you are still subject to sin.” Then the presbyter went and called the brothers, made a prostration of repentance to the eleven, clothed them in the monk’s habit, and sent them away. ### Scripture references - Eph 4:22: allusion, medium confidence - Col 3:9: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - “The old man” is the old self (Eph 4:22; Col 3:9). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.11 (PG 65:323–325; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-11). ## Poemen 12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-12 - Source: PG 65:325 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen teaches that wholehearted repentance is accepted by God even in three days. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων Ἐποίησα ἁμαρτίαν μεγάλην, καὶ θέλω μετανοῆσαι τρία ἔτη. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Πολύ ἐστι. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφός· Ἀλλ᾿ ἕως ἐνιαυτοῦ; Καὶ εἶπε πάλιν ὁ γέρων· Πολύ ἐστιν. Οἱ δὲ παρόντες ἔλεγον· "Εως τεσσαράκοντα ἡμερῶν; Καὶ πάλιν εἶπε· Πολύ ἐστιν· εἶπε δὲ· Ἐγὼ λέγω, ὅτι ἐὰν ἐξ ὅλης καρδίας μετανοήσῃ ἄνθρωπος, καὶ μὴ προσθῇ ἔτι ποιεῖν τὴν ἁμαρτίαν, καὶ εἰς τρεῖς ἡμέρας δέχεται αὐτὸν ὁ Θεός. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “I have committed a great sin, and I want to do penance for three years.” The old man says to him, “That is a lot.” And the brother said to him, “Then up to a year?” And again the old man said, “That is a lot.” Those present said, “Up to forty days?” And again he said, “That is a lot.” And he said, “I say that if a man repents with his whole heart and does not go on to commit the sin again, God accepts him even in three days.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.12 (PG 65:325; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-12). ## Poemen 13 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-13 - Source: PG 65:325 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Temptation reveals the true monk. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Τὸ σημεῖον τοῦ μοναχοῦ ἐν τοῖς πειρασμοῖς φαίνεται. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “The mark of the monk appears in temptations.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.13 (PG 65:325; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-13). ## Poemen 14 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-14 - Source: PG 65:325 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The soul must always be on guard against sexual temptation. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ὥσπερ ὁ σπαθάριος τοῦ βασιλέως παρίσταται αὐτῷ διαπαντὸς ἕτοιμος· οὕτως δεῖ τὴν ψυχὴν ἑτοίμην εἶναι πρὸς τὸν δαίμονα τῆς πορνείας. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “As the king’s sword-bearer stands by him always ready, so the soul must be ready against the demon of sexual immorality.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.14 (PG 65:325; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-14). ## Poemen 15 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-15 - Source: PG 65:325 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Unclean thoughts are powerless if one does not lend them a hand, as an axe is powerless without the woodcutter. ### Greek text Ἡρώτησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀνοὺβ τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα περὶ τῶν ἀκαθάρτων λογισμῶν ὧν γεννᾷ ἡ καρδία τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, καὶ περὶ τῶν ματαίων ἐπιθυμιῶν. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Μὴ δοξασθήσεται ἀξίνη ἄνευ τοῦ κόπτοντος ἐν αὐτῇ; καὶ σὺ, μὴ δώσεις αὐτοῖς χεῖρα καὶ ἀργοῦσιν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Anoub asked abba Poemen about the unclean thoughts that the heart of man produces, and about vain desires. And abba Poemen says to him, “Shall the axe boast itself without the one who cuts with it? So you too, do not give them a hand, and they will be idle.” ### Scripture references - Isa 10:15: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Isa 10:15. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.15 (PG 65:325; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-15). ## Poemen 16 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-16 - Source: PG 65:325 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Gluttony, like Nebuzaradan the “chief cook,” lets the enemy burn the temple of the soul. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Εἰ μὴ Ναβουζαρδὰν ὁ ἀρχιμάγειρος ἦλθεν, οὐκ ἂν ἐνεπρήσθη ὁ ναὸς Κυρίου. Τοῦτο δὲ ἐστιν· Εἰ μὴ ἡ ἀνάπαυσις ἦλθε γαστριμαργίας εἰς τὴν ψυχὴν, οὐκ ἂν ὁ νοῦς κατέπιπτεν ἐν τῷ πολέμῳ τοῦ ἐχθροῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen also said, “If Nebuzaradan the chief cook had not come, the temple of the Lord would not have been burned. That is: if the comfort of gluttony had not come into the soul, the mind would not fall in the war of the enemy.” ### Scripture references - 2 Kgs 25:8: allusion, high confidence - 2 Kgs 25:9: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - The LXX calls Nebuzaradan ἀρχιμάγειρος, “chief cook” (2 Kgs 25:8–9); Poemen builds on the word. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.16 (PG 65:325; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-16). ## Poemen 17 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-17 - Source: PG 65:325 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen ate against his will rather than grieve a brother; and (saying 18) he warned against living among the jealous. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος, ὅτι καλούμενος εἰς τὸ φαγεῖν παρὰ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ, ἀπήρχετο δακρύων, ἵνα μὴ παρακούσῃ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ λυπήσῃ αὐτόν. τη΄. Εἶπε πάλιν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Μὴ οἰκήσῃς εἰς τόπον, οὗ βλέπεις τινὰς ἔχοντας ζῆλον κατὰ σοῦ· εἰ δὲ μήγε, οὐ προκόπτεις. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Poemen that when he was invited to eat against his will, he went weeping, so as not to disobey his brother and grieve him. [18] Abba Poemen also said, “Do not live in a place where you see some who have jealousy against you; otherwise you will not make progress.” ### Translation notes - The scan runs Poemen 18 (τηʹ) into this saying; marked [18]. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.17 (PG 65:325; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-17). ## Poemen 19 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-19 - Source: PG 65:325 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen says wine is not for monks at all. ### Greek text Διηγήσαντό τινες τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι περί τινος μοναχοῦ, ὅτι οὐ πίνει οἶνον. Καὶ εἶπεν· Ὁ οἶνος ὅλως οὐκ ἔστι τῶν μοναχῶν. ### English translation (Claude) Some told abba Poemen about a monk that he did not drink wine. And he said, “Wine is not for monks at all.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.19 (PG 65:325; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-19). ## Poemen 20 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-20 - Source: PG 65:327 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Unacted thoughts rot away like clothes left in a chest. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἡσαΐας τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα περὶ τῶν ῥυπαρῶν λογισμῶν. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Ωσπερ κάμπτρα μεστὴ ἱματίων, καὶ ἐὰν ἀφῇ αὐτά τις, τῷ χρόνῳ σήπονται οὕτως καὶ οἱ λογισμοί· ἐὰν μὴ ποιήσωμεν αὐτοὺς σωματικῶς, τῷ χρόνῳ ἀφανίζονται ἤτοι σήπονται. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Isaiah asked abba Poemen about filthy thoughts. And abba Poemen says to him, “Just as a chest full of clothes, if someone leaves them, rots in time, so it is with thoughts: if we do not act them out bodily, in time they vanish or rot.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.20 (PG 65:327; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-20). ## Poemen 21 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-21 - Source: PG 65:327 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Evil thoughts die out through patience like snakes sealed in a jar. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωσὴφ τὸν αὐτὸν λόγον καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Ὥσπερ ἐάν τις ὄφιν καὶ σκορπίον βάλῃ εἰς ἀγγεῖον, καὶ φράξῃ, πάντως τῷ χρόνῳ ἀποθνήσκουσιν· οὕτως καὶ οἱ πονηροί λογισμοὶ, ἀπὸ τῶν δαιμόνων βλαστάνοντες, διὰ τῆς ὑπομονῆς ἐκλείπουσιν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Joseph asked the same question, and abba Poemen said to him, “Just as if someone puts a snake and a scorpion in a jar and stops it up, they will certainly die in time, so too the evil thoughts that spring from the demons die out through endurance.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.21 (PG 65:327; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-21). ## Poemen 22 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-22 - Source: PG 65:327 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen first praises a farming monk’s almsgiving to encourage him, then, challenged by Anoub, tells him it is not monk’s work, and the brother leaves grieved. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Σπείρω τὸν ἀγρόν μου, καὶ ποιῶ ἐξ αὐτοῦ ἀγάπην. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Καλῶς ποιεῖς. Καὶ ἀπῆλθε μετὰ προθυμίας, καὶ προσέθηκε τῇ ἀγάπῃ. Καὶ ἤκουσεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀνοὺβ τὸν λόγον, καὶ λέγει τῷ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένι· Οὐ φοβῇ τὸν Θεὸν, οὕτως λαλήσας τῷ ἀδελφῷ; Καὶ ἐσιώπησεν ὁ γέρων. Καὶ μετὰ δύο ἡμέρας ἔπεμψεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν ἐπὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ἀκούοντος τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀνούβ· Τί εἶπές μοι τῇ ἄλλῃ; ὅτι ὁ νοῦς μου ἀλλαχοῦ ἦν. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφός· Εἶπον, ὅτι σπείρω τὸν ἀγρόν μου, καὶ ποιῶ ἐξ αὐτοῦ ἀγάπην. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Ἐνόμιζον ὅτι περὶ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου τοῦ κόσμου ἐλάλησας· εἰ δὲ σὺ εἶ ὁ ποιῶν τὸ ἔργον τοῦτο, οὐκ ἔστι τοῦτο μοναχοῦ. Ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας ἐλυπήθη, λέγων· Ἄ̓́λλο ἔργον οὐδὲν οἶδα, εἰ μὴ τοῦτο, καὶ οὐ δύναμαι μὴ σπείρειν τὸν ἀγρόν μου. Ὅτε οὖν ἀνεχώρησεν, ἔβαλεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀνοὺβ μετάνοιαν, λέγων· Συγχώρησόν μοι. Καὶ λέγει ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Κἀγὼ ἐξ ἀρχῆς ᾔδειν ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἔργον μοναχοῦ· ἀλλὰ πρὸς τὸν λογισμὸν αὐτοῦ ἐλάλησα, καὶ ἔδωκα αὐτῷ προθυμίαν εἰς τὴν προκοπὴν τῆς ἀγάπης. Νῦν δὲ ἀπῆλθε λυπούμενος, καὶ πάλιν τὸ αὐτὸ ποιεῖ. ### English translation (Claude) A brother came to abba Poemen and says to him, “I sow my field and give alms from it.” The old man says to him, “You do well.” And he went away eagerly and increased his alms. And abba Anoub heard the word, and says to abba Poemen, “Do you not fear God, speaking so to the brother?” And the old man kept silent. And after two days abba Poemen sent for the brother, and says to him in abba Anoub’s hearing, “What did you tell me the other day? For my mind was elsewhere.” The brother says to him, “I said that I sow my field and give alms from it.” And abba Poemen said to him, “I thought you were speaking of your brother in the world; but if you are the one doing this work, it is not for a monk.” Hearing this, he was grieved, saying, “I know no other work but this, and I cannot not sow my field.” So when he had gone, abba Anoub made a prostration to him, saying, “Forgive me.” And abba Poemen says, “I too knew from the beginning that it is not the work of a monk; but I spoke according to his thought, and gave him eagerness to advance in love. But now he has gone away grieved, and he will do the same again.” ### Translation notes - The scan moves the clause “when he had gone, abba Anoub made a prostration to him” into the middle of the saying, together with variant notes and a stray line; the notes and line are removed and the clause is put back in its place. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.22 (PG 65:327; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-22). ## Poemen 23 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-23 - Source: PG 65:327 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Gentle encouragement, not rebuke, moves a denying sinner to repent. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Ἐὰν ἁμαρτήσῃ ἄνθρωπος, καὶ ἀρνήσηται, λέγων, Οὐχ ἥμαρτον, μὴ ἐλέγξῃς αὐτόν· εἰ δὲ μήγε, ἐκκόπτεις αὐτοῦ τὴν προθυμίαν. Ἐὰν δὲ εἴπῃς αὐτῷ· Μὴ ἀθυμήσῃς, ἀδελφὲ, ἀλλὰ φύλαξαι τοῦ λοιποῦ, διεγείρεις αὐτοῦ τὴν ψυχὴν πρὸς μετάνοιαν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “If a man sins and denies it, saying, ‘I did not sin,’ do not rebuke him; otherwise you cut off his eagerness. But if you say to him, ‘Do not lose heart, brother, but guard yourself in future,’ you rouse his soul to repentance.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.23 (PG 65:327; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-23). ## Poemen 24 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-24 - Source: PG 65:327 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Experience makes a man proven. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Καλὴ ἡ πεῖρα· αὕτη γὰρ διδάσκει σὲ τὸν ἄνθρωπον δόκιμον ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Experience is good; for it teaches a man to be tested.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.24 (PG 65:327; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-24). ## Poemen 25 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-25 - Source: PG 65:327 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A teacher who does not practice is like a spring that cannot cleanse itself. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· "Ανθρωπος διδάσκων, μὴ ποιῶν δὲ ἃ διδάσκει, ὅμοιός ἐστι κρήνῃ· ὅτι πάντας ποτίζει καὶ πλύνει, ἑαυτὴν δὲ οὐ δύναται καθαρίσαι ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “A man who teaches but does not do what he teaches is like a spring: it gives drink to everyone and washes them, but cannot cleanse itself.” ### Scripture references - Rom 2:21: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.25 (PG 65:327; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-25). ## Poemen 26 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-26 - Source: PG 65:327–329 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A widow’s grief at a tomb shows the constant mourning a monk should have. ### Greek text Παρερχόμενός ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν εἰς τὴν Αἴγυπτον, εἶδε γυναῖκα ἐν μνημείῳ καθεζομένην, καὶ κλαίουσαν πικρῶς. Καὶ λέγει· Ἐὰν ἔλθωσι πάντα τὰ τερπνὰ τοῦ κόσμου τούτου, οὐ μὴ μεταστήσωσι τὴν ψυχὴν ταύτης ἀπὸ τοῦ πένθους. Οὕτως καὶ ὁ μοναχὸς ὀφείλει διαπαντὸς τὸ πένθος ἔχειν ἐν ἑαυτῷ. ### English translation (Claude) Once as abba Poemen was passing through Egypt, he saw a woman sitting at a tomb and weeping bitterly. And he says, “If all the delights of this world came, they would not move this woman’s soul from mourning. So the monk too ought always to have mourning within himself.” ### Scripture references - Matt 5:4: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.26 (PG 65:327–329; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-26). ## Poemen 27 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-27 - Source: PG 65:329 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: True silence is in the heart; one may talk all day yet keep it. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Ἔστιν ἄνθρωπος δοκῶν σιωπᾶν, καὶ ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ κατακρίνει ἄλλους· ὁ τοιοῦτος πάντοτε λαλεῖ. Καὶ ἔστιν ἄλλος, ἀπὸ πρωΐ ἕως ἑσπέρας λαλῶν, καὶ σιωπὴν κρατεῖ· τουτέστιν ὅτι ἐκτὸς ὠφελείας οὐδὲν λαλεῖ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “There is a man who seems to be silent, but his heart condemns others; such a one is always talking. And there is another who talks from morning to evening and keeps silence; that is, he says nothing that is not profitable.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.27 (PG 65:329; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-27). ## Poemen 28 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-28 - Source: PG 65:329 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: One cannot stop thoughts coming any more than catch the wind, but one can resist them. ### Greek text Ἀδελφός τις ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἀββᾶ, πολλοὺς λογισμοὺς ἔχω, καὶ κινδυνεύω ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν. Καὶ ἐκφέρει αὐτὸν ὁ γέρων εἰς τὸν ἀέρα, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἅπλωσον τὸν κόλπον σου, καὶ κράτησον τοὺς ἀνέμους. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Οὐ δύναμαι τοῦτο ποιῆσαι. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Εἰ τοῦτο οὐ δύνασαι ποιῆσαι, οὐδὲ τοὺς λογισμοὺς δύνασαι κωλῦσαι ἐλθεῖν· ἀλλὰ σὸν ἐστι τὸ ἀντιστῆναι αὐτοῖς. ### English translation (Claude) A brother came to abba Poemen and says to him, “Abba, I have many thoughts, and I am in danger from them.” And the old man takes him out into the open air and says to him, “Spread out the fold of your garment and catch the winds.” He said, “I cannot do that.” And the old man says to him, “If you cannot do this, neither can you stop thoughts from coming; but it is yours to resist them.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.28 (PG 65:329; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-28). ## Poemen 29 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-29 - Source: PG 65:329 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Stillness, thankful sickness, and pure service are equal works. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι Ἐὰν εἰσι τρεῖς ἐπιτοαυτὸ, καὶ ὁ εἷς μὲν ἡσυχάζει καλῶς, ὁ δὲ εἷς ἀσθενῶν καὶ εὐχαριστῶν, ὁ δὲ ἄλλος ὑπηρετεῖ μετὰ καθαροῦ λογισμοῦ· οἱ τρεῖς μιᾶς ἐργασίας εἰσίν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “If there are three together, and one keeps stillness well, another is sick and gives thanks, and the third serves with a pure mind, the three are of one work.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.29 (PG 65:329; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-29). ## Poemen 30 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-30 - Source: PG 65:329 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen likens monks thirsting for the weekend Eucharist to deer seeking water after swallowing serpents. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Γέγραπται· Ὃν τρόπον ἐπιποθεῖ ἡ ἔλαφος ἐπὶ τὰς πηγὰς τῶν ὑδάτων, οὕτως ἐπιποθεῖ ἡ ψυχή μου πρὸς σὲ, ὁ Θεός. Ἐπειδὴ αἱ ἔλαφοι ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ πολλὰ καταπίνουσιν ἑρπετά· καὶ ὡς κατακαίει αὐτὰς ὁ ἰὸς, ἐπιθυμοῦσιν ἐλθεῖν ἐπὶ τὰ ὕδατα· πίνουσαι δὲ καταψύχουσιν ἀπὸ τοῦ ἱοῦ τῶν ἑρπετῶν οὕτως καὶ οἱ μοναχοὶ, ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καθεζόμενοι, καίονται ἀπὸ τοῦ ἱοῦ τῶν πονηρῶν δαιμόνων, καὶ ἐπιποθοῦσι τὸ Σάββατον καὶ τὴν Κυριακὴν, ὥστε ἐλθεῖν ἐπὶ τὰς πηγὰς τῶν ὑδάτων, τουτέστιν, ἐπὶ τὸ σῶμα καὶ αἷμα τοῦ Κυρίου ἵνα καθαρισθῶσιν ἀπὸ πικρότητος τοῦ πονηροῦ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “It is written, ‘As the deer longs for the springs of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.’ For deer in the desert swallow many reptiles; and when the venom burns them, they long to come to the waters; and drinking, they are cooled from the venom of the reptiles. So too monks living in the desert are burned by the venom of the evil demons, and they long for Saturday and Sunday, to come to the springs of water, that is, to the body and blood of the Lord, so that they may be cleansed of the bitterness of the evil one.” ### Scripture references - Ps 42:1 (41:2 LXX): quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Ps 42:1 (LXX 41:2). The belief that deer eat snakes was common in ancient natural lore. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.30 (PG 65:329; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-30). ## Poemen 31 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-31 - Source: PG 65:329 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen recommends eating a little less every day, the royal road the Fathers found best. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωσὴφ τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, πῶς χρὴ νηστεύειν. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Ἐγὼ θέλω τὸν ἐσθίοντα καθ' ἡμέραν παρὰ μικρὸν ἐσθίειν, ἵνα μὴ χορτάζηται. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωσήφ· Ὅτε ἧς νεώτερος, οὐκ ἐνήστευες δύο δύο, ἀββᾶ; Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων Φύσει καὶ τρεῖς, καὶ τέσσαρας καὶ ἑβδομάδα. Καὶ ταῦτα πάντα ἐδοκίμασαν οἱ Πατέρες, ὡς δυνατοί· καὶ εὗρον ὅτι καθ' ἡμέραν ἐσθίειν, παρὰ μικρὸν δὲ· καὶ παρέδωκαν ἡμῖν τὴν βασιλικὴν ὁδὸν, ὅτι ἐλαφρά ἐστιν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Joseph asked abba Poemen how one ought to fast. Abba Poemen says to him, “I want one who eats every day to eat a little less, so as not to be full.” Abba Joseph says to him, “When you were young, did you not fast two days at a time, abba?” And the old man said, “Truly, and three, and four, and a week. And the Fathers tested all these things, being strong; and they found that it is good to eat every day, but a little less; and they handed down to us the royal road, because it is light.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.31 (PG 65:329; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-31). ## Poemen 32 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-32 - Source: PG 65:329–331 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen examined his thoughts before the synaxis; and (saying 33) he leaves a brother free to choose what to do with an inheritance. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος, ὅτι ὅταν ἤμελλεν εἰς σύναξιν ἐλθεῖν ἐκάθητο κατ' ἰδίαν διακρίνων τοὺς λογισμοὺς αὐτοῦ, ὡσεὶ ὥραν μίαν· καὶ οὕτως ἐξήρχετο. Αγ'. Ἀδελφὸς ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Κατελείφθη μοι κληρονομία· τί ποιήσω αὐτήν; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἄπελθε, καὶ μετὰ τρεῖς ἡμέρας ἐλθὲ, καὶ λέγω σοι. Ἦλθε δὲ, καθὼς ὥρισεν αὐτῷ. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων· Τί ἔχω σοι εἰπεῖν, ἀδελφέ; Ἐὰν εἴπω σοι, Δὸς αὐτὰ εἰς ἐκκλησίαν, ἐκεῖ ἀριστοποιοῦσιν. Ἐὰν εἴπω σοι, Δὸς αὐτὰ συγγενεῖ σου, οὐκ ἔστι σοι μισθός. Ἐὰν δὲ εἶπω σοι, Δὸς αὐτὰ πτωχοῖς, ἁμεριμνεῖς. Εἴ τι οὖν θέλεις, ποίησον· ἐγὼ πρᾶγμα οὐκ ἔχω. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Poemen that when he was about to go to the synaxis, he sat alone examining his thoughts for about an hour; and then he went out. [33] A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “An inheritance has been left to me; what shall I do with it?” The old man says to him, “Go away, and come back after three days, and I will tell you.” He came as he had fixed. And the old man said, “What have I to tell you, brother? If I tell you, ‘Give it to the church,’ they will make banquets there. If I tell you, ‘Give it to your relative,’ you have no reward. But if I tell you, ‘Give it to the poor,’ you will be free from care. So do what you wish; it is not my affair.” ### Translation notes - The scan runs Poemen 33 (numbered in the print) into this saying; marked [33]. A stray word is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.32 (PG 65:329–331; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-32). ## Poemen 34 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-34 - Source: PG 65:331 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen traces revenge from heart to look to tongue to deed, and urges stopping it at each stage. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν αὐτὸν ἄλλος ἀδελφὸς, λέγων· Τί ἐστι, Μὴ ἀποδώσεις κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Τὸ πάθος τοῦτο τέσσαρας ἔχει τρόπους· πρῶτον ἀπὸ καρδίας, δεύτερον ἀπὸ ὄψεως, τρίτον γλώσσης, τέταρτόν ἐστι, τὸ μὴ ποιῆσαι κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ. Ἐὰν δύνασαι καθαρίσαι τὴν καρδίαν σου, οὐκ ἔρχεται εἰς τὴν ὄψιν· ἐὰν δὲ ἔλθῃ εἰς τὴν ὄψιν, φυλάττου τὸ μὴ λαλεῖν· ἐὰν δὲ καὶ λαλήσῃς, ταχὺ κόψον τοῦ μὴ ποιῆσαι κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Another brother asked him, saying, “What is ‘Do not repay evil for evil’?” The old man says to him, “This passion has four forms: first from the heart, second from the look, third from the tongue, and fourth is not to do evil in return for evil. If you can cleanse your heart, it does not come to the look; but if it comes to the look, guard against speaking; and if you do speak, cut it off quickly so as not to do evil in return for evil.” ### Scripture references - Rom 12:17: quotation, high confidence - 1 Pet 3:9: quotation, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Rom 12:17; 1 Pet 3:9. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.34 (PG 65:331; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-34). ## Poemen 35 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-35 - Source: PG 65:331 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Watchfulness, self-attention, and discernment guide the soul. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι Τὸ φυλάσσειν, καὶ ἑαυτῷ προσέχειν, καὶ ἡ διάκρισις, αἱ τρεῖς αὗται ἀρεταὶ ὁδηγοί εἰσι τῆς ψυχῆς. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “Watchfulness, attention to oneself, and discernment: these three virtues are guides of the soul.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.35 (PG 65:331; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-35). ## Poemen 36 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-36 - Source: PG 65:331 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Self-abasement before God, not measuring oneself, and renouncing one’s will are the soul’s tools. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Τὸ ῥίψαι ἑαυτὸν ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ τὸ μὴ ἑαυτὸν μετρεῖν, καὶ τὸ βάλλειν ὀπίσω τὸ ἴδιον θέλημα, ἐργαλεῖά εἰσι τῆς ψυχῆς. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “To throw oneself down before God, not to measure oneself, and to put one’s own will behind: these are the tools of the soul.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.36 (PG 65:331; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-36). ## Poemen 37 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-37 - Source: PG 65:331 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Silence is the victory over every trouble. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Πᾶς κόπος ὃς ἂν ἐπέλθῃ σοι, ἡ νίκη αὐτοῦ ἐστι σιωπᾶν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “In every trouble that comes upon you, the victory over it is to keep silent.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.37 (PG 65:331; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-37). ## Poemen 38 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-38 - Source: PG 65:331 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Bodily comfort is an abomination to the Lord. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Βδέλυγμά ἐστι Κυρίῳ πᾶσα σωματικὴ ἀνάπαυσις. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “All bodily comfort is an abomination to the Lord.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.38 (PG 65:331; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-38). ## Poemen 39 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-39 - Source: PG 65:331 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Mourning both works and guards. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Τὸ πένθος διπλοῦν ἐστιν· ἐργάζεται, καὶ φυλάσσει. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Mourning is twofold: it works and it guards.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.39 (PG 65:331; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-39). ## Poemen 40 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-40 - Source: PG 65:331 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Attend twice to thoughts about bodily needs, then ignore them as idle. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἐὰν ἔλθῃ σοι λογισμὸς περὶ τῶν ἀναγκαίων τοῦ σώματος χρειῶν, καὶ διατάξῃς ἅπαξ, καὶ πάλιν δεύτερον ἔλθῃ καὶ διατάξης· τὸ τρίτον ἐὰν ἔλθῃ, μὴ πρόσχῃς αὐτῷ· ἀργὸς γάρ ἐστι ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “If a thought comes to you about the necessary needs of the body, and you arrange it once, and it comes a second time and you arrange it, if it comes the third time, pay no attention to it; for it is idle.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.40 (PG 65:331; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-40). ## Poemen 41 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-41 - Source: PG 65:331 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: True self-abasement is to count oneself below the beasts, which are not judged. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Ἀδελφὸς ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀλώνιον, λέγων· Τί ἐστιν ἐξουδένωσις; Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων Τὸ εἶναί σε ὑποκάτω τῶν ἀλόγων, καὶ εἰδέναι ὅτι τὰ ἀκατάκριτά εἰσιν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said that a brother asked abba Alonius, saying, “What is contempt of self?” And the old man said, “To be beneath the irrational animals, and to know that they are not condemned.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.41 (PG 65:331; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-41). ## Poemen 42 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-42 - Source: PG 65:331 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Remembering that words will judge us leads to silence. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Ἐὰν μνησθῇ ἄνθρωπος τοῦ γεγραμμένου ῥητοῦ, ὅτι Ἐκ τῶν λόγων σου δικαιωθήσῃ, καὶ ἐκ τῶν λόγων σου καταδικασθήσῃ, αἱρεῖται μᾶλλον τὸ σιωπᾶν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “If a man remembers the written saying, ‘By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned,’ he chooses rather to keep silent.” ### Scripture references - Matt 12:37: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Matt 12:37. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.42 (PG 65:331; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-42). ## Poemen 43 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-43 - Source: PG 65:331 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Distraction is the beginning of evils. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν Ἀρχὴ κακῶν ἐστιν ὁ περισπασμός. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Distraction is the beginning of evils.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.43 (PG 65:331; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-43). ## Poemen 44 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-44 - Source: PG 65:331 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Isidore leaves Scetis when it no longer offers hardship, seeking labor elsewhere. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰσίδωρος ὁ πρεσβύτερος τῆς Σκήτεως ἐλάλησε ποτε τῷ λαῷ, λέγων· Ἀδελφοὶ, οὐχὶ ἕνεκεν κόπου ἤλθομεν εἰς τὸν τόπον τοῦτον; Καὶ νῦν οὐκ ἔτι ἔχει κόπον. Ἐγὼ οὖν σκευάσας τὴν μηλωτήν μου ἀπέρχομαι ὅπου ἐστὶ κόπος, καὶ ἐκεῖ εὑρίσκω ἀνάπαυσιν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said that abba Isidore, the presbyter of Scetis, once spoke to the people, saying, “Brothers, did we not come to this place for the sake of labor? And now there is no more labor here. So I, having made ready my sheepskin, am going where there is labor, and there I find rest.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.44 (PG 65:331; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-44). ## Poemen 45 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-45 - Source: PG 65:331–333 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Speak only when asked. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς εἶπε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι Ἐὰν θεάσωμαι πρᾶγμα, θέλεις εἴπω αὐτό; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Γέγραπται· Ὃς ἐὰν ἀποκρίνηται λόγον πρὶν ἀκοῦσαι, ἀφροσύνη αὐτῷ ἐστι καὶ ὄνειδος. Ἐὰν ἐπερωτηθῇς, εἰπέ· εἰ δὲ μὴ, σιώπα. ### English translation (Claude) A brother said to abba Poemen, “If I see something, do you want me to tell it?” The old man says to him, “It is written, ‘Whoever answers a word before hearing, it is folly and reproach to him.’ If you are asked, speak; but if not, keep silent.” ### Scripture references - Prov 18:13: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Prov 18:13. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.45 (PG 65:331–333; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-45). ## Poemen 46 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-46 - Source: PG 65:333 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen cites John the Dwarf: take a little of every virtue rather than rely on one. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησέ τις ἀδελφὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων Δύναται ἄνθρωπος πεποιθέναι ἐπὶ τῇ μιᾷ πράξει; Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων, ὅτι ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης ὁ Κολοβός εἶπεν, ὅτι Ἐγὼ θέλω μεταλαβεῖν μικρόν τι ἐκ πασῶν τῶν ἀρετῶν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “Can a man rely on one practice?” And the old man said to him that abba John the Dwarf said, “I want to take a little from all the virtues.” ### Translation notes - Cf. John the Dwarf 34 (43.34). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.46 (PG 65:333; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-46). ## Poemen 47 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-47 - Source: PG 65:333 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Silence is better than praising one’s neighbor. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν ὁ γέρων, ὅτι ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Παμβὼ, εἰ καλὸν ἐπαινεῖν τὸν πλησίον· καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Καλὸν μᾶλλόν ἐστι τὸ σιωπᾷν. ### English translation (Claude) The old man also said that a brother asked abba Pambo whether it is good to praise one’s neighbor; and he said to him, “It is better to keep silent.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.47 (PG 65:333; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-47). ## Poemen 48 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-48 - Source: PG 65:333 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: No achievement frees a person from care. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι Ἐὰν ποιήσῃ ἄνθρωπος καινὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ καινὴν γῆν, οὐ δύναται ἀμεριμνῆσαι. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen also said, “Even if a man makes a new heaven and a new earth, he cannot be free of care.” ### Scripture references - Isa 65:17: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.48 (PG 65:333; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-48). ## Poemen 49 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-49 - Source: PG 65:333 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen likens humility to breath, mourning to Abraham’s tomb, and imperfect charity to a poor crop that still saves from famine. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Ὁ ἄνθρωπος δέεται τῆς ταπεινοφροσύνης καὶ τοῦ φόβου τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὥσπερ τῆς πνοῆς ἐκπορευομένης ἐκ τῆς ῥινὸς αὐτοῦ. ν. Ἀδελφὸς ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Τί ποιήσω; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἀβραὰμ ὅτε εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὴν γῆν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας, μνημεῖον ἠγόρασεν ἑαυτῷ, καὶ διὰ τοῦ τάφου ἐκληρονόμησε τὴν γῆν. Λέγει ὁ ἀδελφός Τί ἐστι τάφος; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων. Τόπος κλαυθμοῦ καὶ πένθους. να΄. Ἀδελφὸς εἶπε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι Ἐὰν δῶ τῷ ἀδελφῷ μου μικρὸν ἄρτον, ἢ ἕτερόν τι, οἱ δαίμονες μολύνουσιν αὐτὰ ὡς κατὰ ἀνθρωπαρεσκίαν γινόμενα. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Εἰ καὶ κατὰ ἀνθρωπαρεσκίαν γίνεται, ἀλλ᾽ ἡμεῖς τὴν χρείαν δώσωμεν τῷ ἀδελφῷ. Εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ καὶ παραβολὴν τοιαύτην· Δύο ἄνθρωποι ἦσαν γεωργοὶ ἐν πόλει οἰκοῦντες μιᾷ· καὶ ὁ εἷς μὲν ἐξ αὐτῶν σπείρας ἐποίησε μικρὰ ἀκάθαρτα· ὁ δὲ ἄλλος, ἀμελήσας τοῦ σπεῖραι, ἐποίησεν ὅλως οὐδέν λιμοῦ γενομένου, τίς ἐκ τῶν δύο εὑρίσκει ζῆσαι; Ἀπεκρίθη ὁ ἀδελφός Ὁ ποιήσας τὰ ὀλίγα καὶ ἀκάθαρτα. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Οὕτως οὖν καὶ ἡμεῖς, σπείρωμεν ὀλίγα, εἰ καὶ ἀκάθαρτα, ἵνα μὴ τῷ λιμῷ ἀποθάνωμεν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “A man needs humility and the fear of God as much as the breath that goes out from his nostrils.” [50] A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “What shall I do?” The old man says to him, “Abraham, when he entered the land of promise, bought himself a tomb, and through the tomb he inherited the land.” The brother says, “What is the tomb?” The old man says to him, “A place of weeping and mourning.” [51] A brother said to abba Poemen, “If I give my brother a little bread or something else, the demons defile these things as done to please men.” The old man says to him, “Even if it is done to please men, let us give the brother what he needs.” And he told him this parable: “There were two farmers living in one city; one of them sowed and produced a small and unclean crop; the other, neglecting to sow, produced nothing at all. When famine came, which of the two finds a way to live?” The brother answered, “The one who produced the little and unclean crop.” The old man says to him, “So too let us sow a little, even if unclean, so that we may not die of hunger.” ### Scripture references - Gen 23:20: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - The scan runs Poemen 50 and 51 (numbered in the print) into this saying; marked [50] and [51]. Abraham’s purchase of a tomb: Gen 23. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.49 (PG 65:333; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-49). ## Poemen 52 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-52 - Source: PG 65:333 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Discernment is the axe that fells the tree with few strokes. ### Greek text Εἶπεν πάλιν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀμμωνᾶς, ὅτι Ποιεῖ ἄνθρωπος ὅλον τὸν χρόνον αὐτοῦ βαστάζων ἀξίνην, καὶ οὐχ εὑρίσκει κατενεγκεῖν τὸ δένδρον. "Εστι δὲ ἄλλος ἔμπειρος τοῦ κόπτειν, καὶ ἀπὸ ὀλίγων καταφέρει τὸ δένδρον. Ἔλεγε δὲ τὴν ἀξίνην εἶναι τὴν διάκρισιν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen also said that abba Ammonas said, “A man may spend his whole time carrying an axe and not succeed in felling the tree. But there is another, experienced in cutting, who brings the tree down with a few strokes.” And he said that the axe is discernment. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.52 (PG 65:333; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-52). ## Poemen 53 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-53 - Source: PG 65:333 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: One should live like Daniel, blameless except in serving God. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Πῶς ὀφείλει ἄνθρωπος πολιτεύσασθαι; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Ὁρῶμεν τὸν Δανιήλ, ὅτι οὐχ εὑρέθη κατ' αὐτοῦ κατηγορία, εἰ μὴ ἐν ταῖς λειτουργίαις Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “How ought a man to live?” The old man says to him, “We see Daniel, that no charge was found against him except in the service of the Lord his God.” ### Scripture references - Dan 6:5: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Dan 6:5. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.53 (PG 65:333; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-53). ## Poemen 54 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-54 - Source: PG 65:333–335 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Self-will is a bronze wall between man and God; abandon it and one leaps over. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι Τὸ θέλημα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τεῖχός ἐστι χαλκοῦν ἀναμέσον αὐτοῦ καὶ τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ πέτρα ἀντιδέρουσα. Ἐὰν οὖν καταλείψῃ αὐτὸ ἄνθρωπος, λέγει καὶ αὐτὸς, Ἐν τῷ Θεῷ μου ὑπερβήσομαι τεῖχος. Ἐὰν οὖν τὸ δικαίωμα συνέλθῃ τῷ θελήματι, κάμνει ὁ ἄνθρωπος. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “The will of man is a wall of bronze between him and God, and a stone that strikes back. So if a man gives it up, he too says, ‘In my God I will leap over the wall.’ But if justification joins with the will, the man is worn down.” ### Scripture references - Ps 18:29 (17:30 LXX): quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. Quotation of Ps 18:29 (LXX 17:30). δικαίωμα here is self-justification. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.54 (PG 65:333–335; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-54). ## Poemen 55 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-55 - Source: PG 65:335 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Alonius keeps silent when praised, lest he seem to accept it. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Καθεζομένων ποτὲ γερόντων καὶ ἐσθιόντων, ἵστατο ὑπηρετῶν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀλώνιος καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν ἐπήνεσαν. Ὁ δὲ τὸ σύνολον οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη. Λέγει οὖν αὐτῷ τις κατ᾿ ἰδίαν Διατί οὐκ ἀπεκρίθης τοῖς γέρουσιν ἐπαινοῦσί σε Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀλώνιος Εἰ ἀπεκρίθην αὐτοῖς, εὑρίσκομαι ὡς καταδεξάμενος τὸν ἔπαινον. ### English translation (Claude) He also said that once when old men were sitting and eating, abba Alonius stood serving; and seeing him, they praised him. But he did not answer at all. So someone says to him privately, “Why did you not answer the old men who praised you?” Abba Alonius says to him, “If I had answered them, I would be found accepting the praise.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.55 (PG 65:335; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-55). ## Poemen 56 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-56 - Source: PG 65:335 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: People talk of perfection while doing little. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Οἱ ἄνθρωποι ἐν τῷ τελείῳ λαλοῦσι, καὶ ἐν τῷ ἐλαχίστῳ ἐργάζονται. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “People speak about perfection but work at the least things.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.56 (PG 65:335; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-56). ## Poemen 57 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-57 - Source: PG 65:335 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Bodily comfort drives away the fear of God as smoke drives off bees. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι Ὥσπερ ὁ καπνὸς ἐκδιώκει τὰς μελίσσας, καὶ τότε αἴρεται τῆς ἐργασίας αὐτῶν ἡ γλυκύτης οὕτως καὶ ἡ σωματικὴ ἀνάπαυσις ἐκδιώκει τὸν φόβον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀπὸ τῆς ψυχῆς, καὶ ἀπολύει αὐτῆς πᾶσαν τὴν ἐργασίαν ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “Just as smoke drives away the bees, and then the sweetness of their work is taken, so bodily comfort drives the fear of God from the soul and destroys all its work.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.57 (PG 65:335; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-57). ## Poemen 58 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-58 - Source: PG 65:335 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen opens his door in Lent, saying the door to keep shut is the tongue. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς παρέβαλε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι εἰς τὰς δύο ἑβδομάδας τῆς Τεσσαρακοστῆς, καὶ ἐξειπὼν τοὺς λογισμοὺς αὐτοῦ, καὶ τυχὼν ἀναπαύσεως, λέγει αὐτῷ· Παρὰ βραχύ κατεσχέθην παραγενέσθαι ὧδε σήμερον. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Διατί; Λέγει ὁ ἀδελφός Εἶπον μήποτε διὰ τὴν Τεσσαρακοστὴν οὐκ ἀνοίγεταί μοι. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν Ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἐμάθομεν κλείειν τὴν ξυλίνην θύραν, ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον τὴν τῆς γλώσσης θύραν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother visited abba Poemen in the two weeks of Lent, and having told him his thoughts and found rest, he says to him, “I was almost kept from coming here today.” The old man says to him, “Why?” The brother says, “I said, ‘Perhaps because of Lent he will not open to me.’” Abba Poemen says to him, “We have not learned to shut the wooden door, but rather the door of the tongue.” ### Scripture references - Ps 141:3 (140:3 LXX): echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.58 (PG 65:335; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-58). ## Poemen 59 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-59 - Source: PG 65:335 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Keeping far from occasions of sin is like standing far from a pit, so God has time to help. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Φεύγειν δεῖ τὰ σωματικά. Ὅταν γὰρ εἶ ἄνθρωπος ἐγγὺς τοῦ σωματικοῦ πολέμου, ἔοικεν ἀνδρὶ στήκοντι ἐπάνω λάκκου βαθυτάτου· καὶ οἴαν δ᾽ ἂν ὥραν δόξῃ τῷ ἐχθρῷ αὐτοῦ, εὐκόλως αὐτὸν ῥίπτει κάτω. Ἐὰν δὲ σωματικῶν μακρὰν ᾖ, ἔοικεν ἀνδρὶ μακρὰν ἀπέχοντι τοῦ λάκκου, ἵνα κἂν ἕλκῃ αὐτὸν ὁ ἐχθρὸς βαλεῖν κάτω, ἐν ὅσῳ αὐτὸν ἕλκει καὶ βιάζεται, ὁ Θεὸς ἀποστέλλει αὐτῷ βοήθειαν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen also said, “One must flee bodily things. For when a man is near the bodily war, he is like a man standing over a very deep pit; and whenever it seems good to his enemy, he easily throws him down. But if he is far from bodily things, he is like a man standing far from the pit, so that even if the enemy drags him to throw him down, while he is dragging and forcing him, God sends him help.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.59 (PG 65:335; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-59). ## Poemen 60 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-60 - Source: PG 65:335 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen reads Noah, Job, and Daniel as poverty, toil, and discernment, the tools of the monk. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἡ πενία καὶ ἡ θλίψις καὶ ἡ στενοχωρία καὶ ἡ νηστεία, ταῦτά εἰσι τὰ ἐργαλεῖα τοῦ μονήρους βίου. Γέγραπται γὰρ, ὅτι Ἐὰν ὦσιν οἱ τρεῖς οὗτοι ἄνδρες, Νῶε, Ἰὼβ καὶ Δανιὴλ, ζῶ ἐγώ, λέγει Κύριος. Νῶε πρόσωπόν ἐστι τῆς ἀκτημοσύνης, Ἰὼβ δὲ τοῦ πόνου, καὶ Δανιὴλ τῆς διακρίσεως. Ἐὰν οὖν ὦσιν αἱ τρεῖς αὗται πράξεις ἐν τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ, ὁ Κύριος οἰκεῖ ἐν αὐτῷ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Poverty, affliction, distress, and fasting: these are the tools of the solitary life. For it is written, ‘If these three men are there, Noah, Job, and Daniel, as I live, says the Lord.’ Noah represents poverty, Job toil, and Daniel discernment. So if these three practices are in a man, the Lord dwells in him.” ### Scripture references - Ezek 14:14: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Ezek 14:14, 16. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.60 (PG 65:335; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-60). ## Poemen 61 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-61 - Source: PG 65:335 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen calls young Agathon “abba” because of his wise speech. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωσὴφ, ὅτι Καθημένων ἡμῶν μετὰ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος, ὠνόμασε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀγάθωνα. Καὶ λέγομεν αὐτῷ Νεώτερός ἐστι, καὶ διατί καλεῖς αὐτὸν ἀββᾶν; Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν Ὅτι τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ ἐποίησεν αὐτὸν καλεῖσθαι ἀββᾶν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Joseph said, “When we were sitting with abba Poemen, he named abba Agathon ‘abba.’ And we say to him, ‘He is young; why do you call him abba?’ And abba Poemen said, ‘Because his mouth has made him to be called abba.’” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.61 (PG 65:335; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-61). ## Poemen 62 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-62 - Source: PG 65:335–337 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen comforts a tempted brother, saying control of belly and tongue and exile will keep him alive. ### Greek text Ἦλθέ ποτε ἀδελφὸς πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Τί ποιήσω, Πάτερ, ὅτι θλίβομαι ἀπὸ τῆς πορνείας καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀπῆλθον πρὸς ἀββᾶν Ἰβιστίωνα, καὶ λέγει μοι· Οὐκ ὀφείλεις ἐᾶσαι αὐτὴν χρονίζειν ἐπὶ σέ. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν Ἀ̓ββᾶς Ἰβιστίων, αἱ πράξεις αὐτοῦ ἄνω μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἰσὶ, καὶ λανθάνει αὐτὸν ὅτι ἐγὼ καὶ σὺ ἐν τῇ πορνείᾳ ἐσμέν. Ἐὰν κρατήσῃ μοναχὸς τὴν κοιλίαν καὶ τὴν γλῶσσαν, καὶ τὴν ξενιτείαν, θάρσει, οὐκ ἀποθνήσκει. ### English translation (Claude) Once a brother came to abba Poemen and says to him, “What shall I do, father, for I am afflicted by sexual temptation? And look, I went to abba Ibistion, and he tells me, ‘You must not let it linger with you.’” Abba Poemen says to him, “Abba Ibistion’s deeds are above with the angels, and it escapes him that you and I are in sexual temptation. If a monk controls his belly and his tongue and lives as a stranger, take courage, he will not die.” ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.62 (PG 65:335–337; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-62). ## Poemen 63 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-63 - Source: PG 65:337 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Let your mouth speak what is in your heart. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν Δίδαξον τὸ στόμα σου λαλεῖν ἢ ἔχει ἡ καρδία σου. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “Teach your mouth to speak what your heart holds.” ### Scripture references - Luke 6:45: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.63 (PG 65:337; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-63). ## Poemen 64 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-64 - Source: PG 65:337 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: God covers our faults as we cover our brother’s. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ἀδελφὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Ἐὰν ἴδω πταῖσμα τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ μου, καλόν ἐστι σκεπάσαι αὐτό; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Οἷαν ὥραν σκεπάσομεν τὸ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ ἡμῶν πταῖσμα, καὶ ὁ Θεὸς σκεπάζει τὸ ἡμέτερον· καὶ ἐν ᾗ ὥρᾳ ἐκφαίνομεν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ, καὶ ὁ Θεὸς ἐκφαίνει τὸ ἡμέτερον. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “If I see my brother’s fault, is it good to cover it?” The old man says to him, “Whenever we cover our brother’s fault, God also covers ours; and whenever we expose our brother’s, God also exposes ours.” ### Scripture references - 1 Pet 4:8: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.64 (PG 65:337; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-64). ## Poemen 65 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-65 - Source: PG 65:337 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: To learn the fear of God, stay near one who fears God. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι Ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Παΐσιόν τίς ποτε, λέγων Τί ποιήσω τῇ ψυχῇ μου, ὅτι ἀναισθητεῖ καὶ οὐ φοβεῖται τὸν Θεόν Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ Ἄπελθε, κολλήθητι ἀνθρώπῳ φοβουμένῳ τὸν Θεόν· καὶ ἐν τῷ ἐγγίζειν ἐκείνῳ, διδάσκει σὲ φοβεῖσθαι τὸν Θεόν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen also said that someone asked abba Paësius, saying, “What shall I do with my soul, for it is insensible and does not fear God?” And he says to him, “Go, attach yourself to a man who fears God; and by being near him, he will teach you to fear God.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.65 (PG 65:337; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-65). ## Poemen 66 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-66 - Source: PG 65:337 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Overcoming comfort and vainglory frees the monk from the world. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Ἐὰν δύο πράγματα νικήσῃ ὁ μοναχὸς, δύναται ἐλεύθερος γενέσθαι ἀπὸ τοῦ κόσμου. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀδελφός Ποῖα ταῦτα; Καὶ εἶπε· Τὴν σαρκικὴν ἀνάπαυσιν, καὶ τὴν κενοδοξίαν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “If a monk overcomes two things, he can become free from the world.” And the brother said, “What are they?” And he said, “Bodily comfort and vainglory.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.66 (PG 65:337; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-66). ## Poemen 67 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-67 - Source: PG 65:337 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen says our own wills are our demons; the real demons fight only saints like Moses. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν Ἀβραὰμ, ὁ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀγάθωνος, τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Πῶς οἱ δαίμονες πολεμοῦσί με Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν Σὲ πολεμοῦσιν οἱ δαίμονες; Οὐ πολεμοῦσι μεθ' ἡμῶν, ἐφ᾽ ὅσον τὰ θελήματα ἡμῶν, ποιοῦμεν. Τὰ γὰρ θελήματα ἡμῶν δαίμονες γεγόνασι καὶ αὐτοὶ εἰσιν οἱ θλίβοντες ἡμᾶς, ἵνα πληρώσωμεν αὐτά, Εἰ δὲ θέλεις ἰδεῖν μετὰ τίνων ἐπολέμησαν οἱ δαίμονες· μετὰ Μωϋσέως, καὶ τῶν ὁμοίων αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Abraham, the disciple of abba Agathon, asked abba Poemen, saying, “How do the demons fight against me?” And abba Poemen said to him, “The demons fight against you? They do not fight with us as long as we do our own wills. For our wills have become the demons, and it is they that afflict us so that we may fulfill them. But if you want to see with whom the demons fought: with Moses and those like him.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.67 (PG 65:337; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-67). ## Poemen 68 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-68 - Source: PG 65:337 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: God’s law for Israel was to abstain from anger, jealousy, hatred, and slander. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν, ὅτι Ταύτην τὴν πολιτείαν ἔδωκεν ὁ Θεὸς τῷ Ἰσραὴλ, τὸ ἀπέχεσθαι τῶν παρὰ φύσιν· τουτέστι, ὀργῆς, καὶ θυμοῦ, καὶ ζήλου, καὶ μίσους, καὶ καταλαλιᾶς κατὰ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ· καὶ τὰ λοιπὰ τῆς παλαιότητος. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “This is the way of life God gave to Israel: to abstain from things contrary to nature, that is, from wrath, anger, jealousy, hatred, and slander against a brother, and the rest of the old ways.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.68 (PG 65:337; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-68). ## Poemen 69 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-69 - Source: PG 65:337–339 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen teaches mourning and almsgiving; then (saying 70) he urges double kindness to a fallen brother, telling of Timothy, who suffered the temptation of the brother he had expelled. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ἀδελφὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Εἰπέ μοι ῥῆμα. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ, ὅτι Οἱ Πατέρες τὴν ἀρχὴν τοῦ πράγματος ἣν ἔθεντο, πένθος ἐστί. Λέγει πάλιν ὁ ἀδελφός Εἰπέ μοι ἄλλο ῥῆμα, Ἀποκρίνεται ὁ γέρων Ὅσον δύνῃ ἐργάζου ἐργόχειρον, ἵνα ἐξ αὐτοῦ ποιήσῃς ἔλεος. Γέγραπται γὰρ, ὅτι ἐλεημοσύνη καὶ πίστις καθαίρουσιν ἁμαρτίας Λέγει ὁ ἀδελφός· Τί ἐστι πίστις; Λέγει ὁ γέρων· Πίστις ἐστὶ τὸ ἐν ταπεινοφροσύνῃ διάγειν, καὶ ποιεῖν ἔλεος. σ'. Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων, ὅτι Ἐὰν ἴδω ἀδελφὸν περὶ οὗ ἤκουσα πταῖσμα, οὐ θέλω εἰσενεγκεῖν αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ κελλίον μου ἐὰν δὲ ἴδω καλὸν, χαίρω μετ' αὐτοῦ. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Εἰ ποιεῖς τῷ καλῷ ἀδελφῷ μικρὸν ἀγαθὸν, διπλοῦν ποίησον μετ' ἐκείνου. Οὗτος γάρ ἐστιν ὁ ἀσθενῶν. Ἦν γάρ τις ἐν κοινοβίῳ ὀνόματι Τιμόθεος ἀναχωρητῆς· καὶ ἤκουσεν ὁ ἡγούμενος φήμην περί τινος ἀδελφοῦ περὶ πειρασμοῦ, καὶ ἐπηρώτησε τὸν Τιμόθεον περὶ αὐτοῦ· καὶ συνεβούλευσεν αὐτῷ, ἐκβαλεῖν τὸν ἀδελφόν. Ὅτε οὖν ἐξέβαλεν αὐτὸν, ἐτέθη ὁ πειρασμὸς τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ ἐπάνω τοῦ Τιμοθέου, ἕως οὗ ἐκινδύνευσεν. Ἔκλαιεν οὖν ὁ Τιμόθεος ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, λέγων· Ἡμάρτηκα, συγχώρησόν μοι. Καὶ ἦλθεν αὐτῷ φωνὴ λέγουσα· Τιμόθεε, μὴ νομίσῃς ὅτι ταῦτα ἐποίησα σοι δι᾿ ἄλλο τι, ἢ ὅτι παρεῖδες τὸν ἀδελφόν σου ἐν καιρῷ τοῦ πειρασμοῦ αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “Tell me a word.” And he says to him, “The beginning of the matter that the Fathers laid down is mourning.” The brother said again, “Tell me another word.” The old man answers, “As far as you can, do handiwork, so that you may give alms from it. For it is written that alms and faith cleanse sins.” The brother says, “What is faith?” The old man says, “Faith is to live in humility and to give alms.” [70] A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “If I see a brother about whom I have heard of a fault, I do not want to bring him into my cell; but if I see a good one, I rejoice with him.” The old man says to him, “If you do a little good to the good brother, do double with that one. For he is the one who is sick. For there was a certain anchorite in a community named Timothy; and the superior heard a report about a brother concerning a temptation, and asked Timothy about him; and he advised him to expel the brother. So when he had expelled him, the brother’s temptation was laid upon Timothy, until he was in danger. So Timothy wept before God, saying, ‘I have sinned; forgive me.’ And a voice came to him, saying, ‘Timothy, do not think that I have done this to you for any other reason than that you despised your brother in the time of his temptation.’” ### Scripture references - Prov 16:6 (15:27 LXX): quotation, high confidence - Gal 6:1: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The scan runs Poemen 70 (its numeral misread as σʹ) into this saying; marked [70]. Variant notes (on the wording of the proverb) are removed. Prov 15:27a (LXX) = 16:6. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.69 (PG 65:337–339; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-69). ## Poemen 71 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-71 - Source: PG 65:339 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Like the Canaanite woman and Abigail, the soul that blames itself is loved by the Lord. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι Διὰ τοῦτο ἐν τοσούτοις πειρασμοῖς κείμεθα, ὅτι τὰ ὀνόματα ἡμῶν καὶ τὴν τάξιν οὐ φυλάσσομεν, καθὼς καὶ ἡ Γραφὴ λέγει. Οὐχ ὁρῶμεν τὴν γυναῖκα τὴν Χαναναίαν, τὴν ὑποδεξαμένην τὸ ὄνομα αὐτῆς, ὅτι ἀνέπαυσεν αὐτὴν ὁ Σωτήρ; Πάλιν Αβιγαίαν, ὅτι εἶπε τῷ Δαβίδ, ὅτι Ἐν ἐμοὶ ἐστιν ἡ ἁμαρτία, καὶ ἤκουσεν αὐτῆς, καὶ ἠγάπησεν αὐτὴν. Αβιγαῖα πρόσωπον λαμβάνει τῆς ψυχῆς, καὶ Δαβὶδ τῆς Θεότητος. Ἐὰν οὖν ἡ ψυχὴ ἑαυτὴν μέμψηται ἐνώπιον Κυρίου, ἀγαπᾷ αὐτὴν ὁ Κύριος. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “We are in so many temptations because we do not keep our names and our rank, as the Scripture says. Do we not see the Canaanite woman, who accepted her name, and the Savior gave her rest? Again Abigail, who said to David, ‘The sin is on me,’ and he heard her and loved her. Abigail stands for the soul, and David for the Godhead. So if the soul blames itself before the Lord, the Lord loves it.” ### Scripture references - Matt 15:27: allusion, high confidence - 1 Sam 25:24: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - The Canaanite woman accepting the name “dog”: Matt 15:26–28; Abigail: 1 Sam 25:24. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.71 (PG 65:339; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-71). ## Poemen 72 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-72 - Source: PG 65:339 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A widow mourning her family teaches Poemen the mourning a monk must have. ### Greek text Παρήρχετό ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν μετὰ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀνοὺβ εἰς τὰ μέρη τῆς Διόλκου καὶ ἐλθόντες περὶ τὰ μνημεῖα θεωροῦσι γυναῖκα δεινῶς κοπτομένην καὶ κλαίουσαν πικρῶς· καὶ στάντες κατενόουν αὐτήν. Μικρὸν δὲ προβάντες συνήντησάν τινι· καὶ ἠρώτησεν αὐτὸν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, λέγων Τί ἔχει ἡ γυνὴ αὕτη, ὅτι πικρῶς κλαίει; Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ὅτι ἀπέθανεν αὐτῆς ὁ ἀνὴρ καὶ ὁ υἱὸς καὶ ὁ ἀδελφός. Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, λέγει τῷ ἀββᾶ Ἀνούβ· Λέγω σοι, ὅτι ἄνθρωπος ἐὰν μὴ νεκρώσῃ τὰ θελήματα τῆς σαρκὸς πάντα, καὶ κτήσηται τὸ πένθος τοῦτο, οὐ δύναται γενέσθαι μοναχός. Ὅλος γὰρ ὁ βίος αὐτῆς καὶ ὁ νοῦς εἰς τὸ πένθος ἐστίν. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Poemen was passing with abba Anoub through the region of Diolcos; and coming near the tombs, they see a woman beating herself terribly and weeping bitterly; and they stood and watched her. Going on a little, they met someone; and abba Poemen asked him, saying, “What is wrong with this woman, that she weeps bitterly?” And he says to him, “Her husband and her son and her brother have died.” And abba Poemen answered and says to abba Anoub, “I tell you, unless a man puts to death all the wills of the flesh and acquires this mourning, he cannot become a monk. For her whole life and mind are in mourning.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.72 (PG 65:339; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-72). ## Poemen 73 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-73 - Source: PG 65:339 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Do not measure yourself; cling to one who lives well. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν Μὴ μέτρει σεαυτὸν, ἀλλὰ κολλήθητι τῷ καλῶς ἀναστρεφομένῳ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “Do not measure yourself, but attach yourself to one who lives well.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.73 (PG 65:339; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-73). ## Poemen 74 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-74 - Source: PG 65:339 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: John the Dwarf taught every visitor Paul’s hymn to love. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι ἐὰν παρέβαλεν ἀδελφὸς τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἰωάννῃ τῷ κολοβῷ, παρεδίδει αὐτῷ τὴν ἀγάπην τὴν ἐν τῷ Ἀποστόλῳ· Ἡ ἀγάπη μακροθυμεῖ, χρηστεύεται. ### English translation (Claude) He also said that whenever a brother visited abba John the Dwarf, he handed on to him the love in the Apostle: “Love is patient, is kind.” ### Scripture references - 1 Cor 13:4: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of 1 Cor 13:4. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.74 (PG 65:339; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-74). ## Poemen 75 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-75 - Source: PG 65:339 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Through the fear of God Pambo had the Spirit dwell in him. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν διὰ τὸν ἀββᾶν Παμβὼ, ὅτι εἶπε περὶ αὐτοῦ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος, ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ φοβεῖσθαι τὸν Θεὸν ἐποίησε τὸ Πνεῦμα τοῦ Θεοῦ οἰκεῖν ἐν αὐτῷ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said of abba Pambo that abba Antony said about him that by fearing God he made the Spirit of God dwell in him. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.75 (PG 65:339; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-75). ## Poemen 76 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-76 - Source: PG 65:339–341 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen refuses to see his mother, promising she will see her sons in the next world. ### Greek text Διηγήσατό τις τῶν Πατέρων περὶ τοῦ ἀββα Ποιμένος καὶ τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ᾤκουν ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ καὶ ἐπιθυμοῦσα ἡ μήτηρ αὐτῶν ἰδεῖν αὐτοὺς οὐκ ἠδύνατο. Παρετηρήσατο δὲ ἀπερχομένων αὐτῶν εἰς ἐκκλησίαν, καὶ ἀπήντησεν αὐτοῖς. Οἱ δὲ θεασάμενοι αὐτὴν, ὑπέστρεψαν, καὶ ἔκλεισαν τὴν θύραν εἰς τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτῆς. Ἡ δὲ πρὸς τὴν θύραν ἔκραζε κλαίουσα μετὰ οἴκτου πολλοῦ, καὶ λέγουσα Ἴδω ὑμᾶς, τέκνα μου ἠγαπημένα. Ἀκούσας δὲ αὐτῆς ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀνοὺβ εἰσῆλθε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων Τί ποιήσωμεν τῇ γραΐδι ταύτῃ κλαιούσῃ πρὸς τὴν θύραν; Καὶ ἔνδοθεν στὰς, ἤκουσεν αὐτῆς κλαιούσης μετὰ οἴκτου πολλοῦ· καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ· Τί οὕτως κράζεις, γραῦ; Ἡ δὲ τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ ἀκούσασα πολλῷ μᾶλλον ἐκραύγαζε, κλαίουσα καὶ λέγουσα Θέλω ὑμᾶς ἰδεῖν, τέκνα μου. Τί γάρ ἐστιν ἐὰν ἴδω ὑμᾶς; μὴ οὐκ εἰμὶ μήτηρ ὑμῶν; μὴ οὐκ ἐγὼ ὑμᾶς ἐθήλασα; ὅλη εἰμὶ πολιά Ακούσασα γὰρ τῆς φωνῆς σου ἐταράχθην. Λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ γέρων· Ωδε θέλεις ἡμᾶς ἰδεῖν, ἢ εἰς τὸν ἐκεῖ κόσμον Λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἐὰν μὴ ἴδω ὑμᾶς ὧδε, βλέπω ὑμᾶς εἰς τὸν ἐκεῖ κόσμον; Λέγει αὐτῇ Ἐὰν σεαυτὴν βιάσῃ μὴ ἰδεῖν ἡμᾶς ὧδε, ὁρᾶς ἡμᾶς ἐκεῖ. Ἀπῆλθε οὖν χαίρουσα, καὶ λέγουσα· Εἰ ὅλως ὁρῶ ὑμᾶς ἐκεῖ, οὐ θέλω ὧδε ὑμᾶς ἰδεῖν. ### English translation (Claude) One of the Fathers related about abba Poemen and his brothers that they lived in Egypt, and their mother, longing to see them, could not. She watched for them going to church and met them. But when they saw her, they turned back and shut the door in her face. She cried out at the door, weeping with great pity and saying, “Let me see you, my beloved children.” Hearing her, abba Anoub went in to abba Poemen, saying, “What shall we do about this old woman weeping at the door?” And standing inside, he heard her weeping with great pity; and he said to her, “Why are you crying out like this, old woman?” Hearing his voice, she cried out all the more, weeping and saying, “I want to see you, my children. What harm is it if I see you? Am I not your mother? Did I not nurse you? I am all grey; and hearing your voice I was troubled.” The old man says to her, “Do you want to see us here, or in the other world?” She says to him, “If I do not see you here, shall I see you in the other world?” He says to her, “If you force yourself not to see us here, you will see us there.” So she went away rejoicing and saying, “If I am indeed to see you there, I do not want to see you here.” ### Scripture references - Luke 14:26: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The monks’ refusal to see their mother reflects the ascetic renunciation of family; translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.76 (PG 65:339–341; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-76). ## Poemen 77 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-77 - Source: PG 65:341 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The “lofty things” are self-justification. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Τὰ ὑψηλὰ τί ἐστι; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· δικαίωμα. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “What are the lofty things?” The old man says to him, “Self-justification.” ### Translation notes - δικαίωμα could also mean “righteousness”; in Poemen’s sayings it usually means justifying oneself (cf. 89.54). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.77 (PG 65:341; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-77). ## Poemen 78 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-78 - Source: PG 65:341 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen answers heretics’ slander of the archbishop only by feeding them and sending them away. ### Greek text Ηλθόν ποτέ τινες αἱρετικοὶ πρὸς τὸν ἀββάν Ποιμένα, καὶ ἤρξαντο καταλαλεῖν τοῦ ἀρχιεπισκόπου Ἀλεξανδρείας, ὡς ὅτι παρὰ πρεσβυτέρων ἔχει τὴν χειροτονίαν. Ὁ δὲ γέρων σιωπήσας ἐφώνησε τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπε· Παράθες τὴν τράπεζαν, καὶ ποίησον αὐτοῖς φαγεῖν, καὶ πέμψον αὐτοὺς μετ' εἰρήνης. ### English translation (Claude) Once some heretics came to abba Poemen and began to speak against the archbishop of Alexandria, saying that he had his ordination from presbyters. The old man kept silent, called his brother, and said, “Set the table, give them something to eat, and send them away in peace.” ### Translation notes - The charge that the archbishop of Alexandria was ordained by presbyters (not bishops) is reported as the heretics’ slander. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.78 (PG 65:341; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-78). ## Poemen 79 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-79 - Source: PG 65:341 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Keep silent and do not compare yourself. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι ἀδελφὸς συνοικῶν ἀδελφοῖς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Βισαρίωνα Τί ποιήσω; Ὁ δὲ γέρων εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Σιώπα, καὶ μὴ μετρῇς ἑαυτόν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said that a brother living with brothers asked abba Bessarion, “What shall I do?” The old man said to him, “Keep silent, and do not measure yourself.” ### Translation notes - The same saying stands under Bessarion (17.10). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.79 (PG 65:341; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-79). ## Poemen 80 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-80 - Source: PG 65:341 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Do not trust your heart to one you are unsure of. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Εἰς ὃν ἡ καρδία σου οὐ πληροφορεῖται, μὴ πρόσχης τούτῳ τῇ καρδίᾳ σου. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Do not give your heart to one your heart is not sure of.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.80 (PG 65:341; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-80). ## Poemen 81 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-81 - Source: PG 65:341 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Humility brings rest anywhere. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Ἐὰν σεαυτὸν εὐτελίσῃς, ἕξεις ἀνάπαυσιν, εἰς οἷον δ᾽ ἂν τόπον καθίσῃς. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “If you make yourself of little account, you will have rest wherever you live.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.81 (PG 65:341; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-81). ## Poemen 82 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-82 - Source: PG 65:341 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Some shame carries the sin of fearlessness. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης, ὅτι Ἔστιν αἰσχύνη, ἀφοβίας ἔχουσα ἁμαρτίαν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said that abba Sisoes said, “There is a shame that has the sin of fearlessness.” ### Extrabiblical texts - Sir 4:21 (Sirach): echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Cf. Sir 4:21, “There is a shame that brings sin.” The sense of Sisoes’ saying is obscure. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.82 (PG 65:341; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-82). ## Poemen 83 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-83 - Source: PG 65:341 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Self-will, comfort, and habit overthrow a man. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν ὅτι τὸ θέλημα, καὶ ἡ ἀνάπαυσις, καὶ ἡ τούτων συνήθεια, καταβάλλει τὸν ἄνθρωπον. ### English translation (Claude) He also said that self-will, comfort, and the habit of these overthrow a man. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.83 (PG 65:341; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-83). ## Poemen 84 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-84 - Source: PG 65:341 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Silence brings rest everywhere. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἐὰν ἧς σιωπητικὸς, ἕξεις ἀνάπαυσιν ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ οὗ ἐὰν οἰκήσῃς. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “If you are silent, you will have rest in every place where you live.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.84 (PG 65:341; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-84). ## Poemen 85 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-85 - Source: PG 65:341 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pior made a new beginning every day. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Πίωρ, ὅτι ἑκάστης ἡμέρας ἐτίθει ἀρχήν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said of abba Pior that every day he made a new beginning. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.85 (PG 65:341; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-85). ## Poemen 86 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-8/#p-89-86 - Source: PG 65:341 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: God who commands us to forgive seventy times seven will forgive the repentant much more. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Ἐὰν προληφθῇ ἄνθρωπος ἔν τινι παραπτώματι, καὶ ἐπιστρέψῃ, συγχωρεῖται παρὰ Θεῷ; Ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἀλλ' ὁ ἐντειλάμενος Θεὸς τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τοῦτο ποιεῖν, οὐχὶ μᾶλλον αὐτὸς ποιήσει; Ἐνετείλατο γὰρ τῷ Πέτρῳ λέγων· "Εως ἑβδομηκοντάκις ἑπτά. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “If a man is overtaken in some fault and turns back, is he forgiven by God?” The old man said to him, “Will not God, who commanded men to do this, do it much more himself? For he commanded Peter, saying, ‘Up to seventy times seven.’” ### Scripture references - Matt 18:22: quotation, high confidence - Gal 6:1: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Matt 18:22. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.86 (PG 65:341; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-86). ## Poemen 87 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-87 - Source: PG 65:343 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen answers with Antony’s word that God himself calls for comforting (praying for) his people. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Καλὸν τὸ προσεύχεσθαι; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων, ὅτι εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος, ὅτι Ἡ φωνὴ αὕτη ἐκπορεύεται ἐκ προσώπου Κυρίου, λέγουσα· Παρακαλεῖτε τὸν λαόν μου, λέγει Κύριος, παρακαλεῖτε. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “Is it good to pray?” The old man says to him that abba Antony said, “This voice goes out from the face of the Lord, saying, ‘Comfort my people, says the Lord, comfort them.’” ### Scripture references - Isa 40:1: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - The saying plays on παρακαλεῖν, which means both “to comfort” and “to pray, entreat.” Quotation of Isa 40:1. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.87 (PG 65:343; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87). ## Poemen 88 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-88 - Source: PG 65:343 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Even the best keep most thoughts but yield some to the enemy. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Δύναται ἄνθρωπος κατασχεῖν ὅλους τοὺς λογισμοὺς, καὶ μηδένα ἐξ αὐτῶν διδόναι τῷ ἐχθρῷ; Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων Ἔστιν ὁ λαμβάνων δέκα, καὶ διδῶν ἕνα. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “Can a man control all his thoughts and give none of them to the enemy?” And the old man said, “There is one who takes ten and gives one.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.88 (PG 65:343; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-88). ## Poemen 89 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-89 - Source: PG 65:343 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes says some give the enemy nothing at all. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἀδελφὸς τὸν αὐτὸν λόγον ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Φύσει ὅτι ἐστὶν, ὃς οὐδὲν παρέχει τῷ ἐχθρῷ. ### English translation (Claude) The same brother asked abba Sisoes the same question. And he says to him, “Truly there is one who gives nothing to the enemy.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.89 (PG 65:343; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-89). ## Poemen 90 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-90 - Source: PG 65:343–345 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen moves a hermit to free robbers he had handed over; then five more sayings follow on grumbling, letting dozing brothers rest, confessing blasphemous thoughts, God’s mercy, and self-blame. ### Greek text Ἦν τις μέγας ἡσυχαστὴς ἐν τῷ ὄρει τῆς Ἀθλίβεως· καὶ ἦλθον ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ λῃσταί· καὶ ἔκραξεν ὁ γέρων· καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ γείτονες αὐτοῦ ἐπίασαν τοὺς λῃστὰς, καὶ ἔπεμψαν αὐτοὺς τῷ ἡγεμόνι, καὶ ἔβαλεν εἰς φυλακήν. Καὶ ἐλυπήθησαν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ, λέγοντες, ὅτι Δι᾿ ἡμᾶς παρεδόθησαν. Καὶ ἀναστάντες ἀπῆλθον πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, καὶ ἀνήγγειλαν αὐτῷ τὸ πρᾶγμα. Καὶ ἔγραψε πρὸς τὸν γέροντα, λέγων· Ἐννόησον τὴν πρώτην προδοσίαν πόθεν γέγονε, καὶ τότε βλέπεις τὴν δευτέραν. Εἰ μὴ γὰρ προεδόθης πρότερον ἐκ τῶν ἔσωθεν, οὐκ ἂν τὴν δευτέραν προδοσίαν ἐποίησας. Ἀκούσας δὲ τὴν ἐπιστολὴν τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος (ἦν δὲ ὀνομαστὸς εἰς ὅλην τὴν χώραν, καὶ μὴ ἐξερχόμενος ἐκ τοῦ κελλίου αὐτοῦ), ἀναστὰς ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν πόλιν, καὶ ἐξέβαλε τοὺς λῃστὰς ἐκ τῆς φυλακῆς, καὶ δημοσίᾳ ἠλευθέρωσεν αὐτούς. μα΄. Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Οὐκ ἔστι μοναχὸς μεμψίμοιρος· οὐκ ἔστι μοναχὸς ποιῶν ἀνταπόδομα οὐκ ἔστι μοναχὸς ὀργίλος. ηβ΄. Παρέβαλόν τινες τῶν γερόντων πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, καὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ· Θέλεις, ἐὰν ἴδωμεν τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς νυστάζοντας εἰς τὴν σύναξιν, νύξωμεν αὐτοὺς, ἵνα γρηγορῶσιν εἰς τὴν ἀγρυπνίαν; Ὁ δὲ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ἐγὼ τέως ἐὰν ἴδω τὸν ἀδελφὸν νυστάζοντα, τιθῶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὰ γόνατά μου, καὶ ἀναπαύω αὐτόν. Αγ΄. Ἔλεγον περί τινος ἀδελφοῦ, ὅτι ἐπολεμήθη εἰς βλασφημίαν, καὶ ἠσχύνετο εἰπεῖν· καὶ ὅπου ἤκουε μεγάλους γέροντας, παρέβαλε αὐτοῖς, ὥστε ἀναγγείλαι· καὶ ὡς ἔφθανεν, ἠσχύνετο ὁμολογῆσαι. Πολλάκις οὖν παρέβαλε καὶ τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι. Καὶ ἔβλεπεν αὐτὸν ὁ γέρων ἔχοντα λογισμοὺς, καὶ ἐλυπεῖτο, τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ μὴ ἀναγγέλλοντος. Ἐν μιᾷ οὖν τῶν ἡμερῶν, προπέμπων αὐτὸν ἔλεγεν αὐτῷ· Ἰδοὺ τοσοῦτον χρόνον ἔρχῃ ὧδε ἔχων λογισμοὺς τοῦ ἀναγγεῖλαί μοι, καὶ ὅταν ἔρχῃ οὐ θέλεις αὐτοὺς εἰπεῖν, ἀλλὰ κατὰ ἅπαξ ὑπάγεις θλιβόμενος ἔχων αὐτούς. Εἰπέ μοι οὖν, τέκνον, τί ἐστιν ὁ ἔχεις. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ὅτι εἰς βλασφημίαν Θεοῦ πολεμεῖ με ὁ δαίμων, καὶ ἠσχυνόμην εἰπεῖν. Καὶ διηγησάμενος αὐτῷ τὸ πρᾶγμα, εὐθέως ἐλαφρύνθη. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Μὴ θλίβου, τέκνον· ἀλλ᾽ ὅταν ἔρχηται ὁ λογισμὸς οὗτος, λέγε· Ἐγὼ πρᾶγμα οὐκ ἔχω· ἡ βλασφημία σου ἐπάνω σου, Σατανᾶ. Τοῦτο γὰρ τὸ πρᾶγμα οὐ θέλει ἡ ψυχή μου. Πᾶν δὲ πρᾶγμα ὃ οὐ θέλει ἡ ψυχή, ὀλιγοχρόνιόν ἐστι. Καὶ θεραπευθεὶς ὁ ἀδελφὸς ἀπῆλθεν. ἰδ'. Ἠρώτησεν ἀδελφὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Ὁρῶ ἐμαυτὸν, ὅτι ὅπου δ᾽ ἂν ἀπέλθω, εὑρίσκω ἀντίληψιν. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων, ὅτι Καὶ οἱ μετὰ χεῖρας ἔχοντες τὸ ξίφος ἔχουσι τὸν Θεὸν ἐλεοῦντα αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ παρόντι καιρῷ. Ἐὰν οὖν ὧμεν ἀνδρεῖοι, ποιεῖ μεθ' ἡμῶν τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ. με΄. Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι Ἐὰν ἄνθρωπος ἑαυτὸν μέμψηται, καρτερεῖ πανταχοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) There was a great hermit on the mountain of Athribis; and robbers came upon him; and the old man cried out; and his neighbors, hearing, seized the robbers and sent them to the governor, and he put them in prison. And the brothers were grieved, saying, “They were handed over because of us.” And getting up they went to abba Poemen and told him the matter. And he wrote to the old man, saying, “Consider where the first betrayal came from, and then you will see the second. For unless you had first been betrayed from within, you would not have committed the second betrayal.” Hearing abba Poemen’s letter (for he was famous in all the region and did not go out of his cell), he got up and came to the city, took the robbers out of prison, and set them free publicly. [91] Abba Poemen said, “A grumbler is not a monk; one who repays evil is not a monk; an angry man is not a monk.” [92] Some of the old men visited abba Poemen and said to him, “If we see the brothers dozing at the synaxis, do you want us to nudge them so that they stay awake at the vigil?” He says to them, “For my part, if I see a brother dozing, I put his head on my knees and let him rest.” [93] They told of a brother that he was attacked by blasphemy and was ashamed to say it; and wherever he heard of great old men, he visited them in order to tell; and when he arrived, he was ashamed to confess. So he often visited abba Poemen too. And the old man saw that he had thoughts, and was grieved that the brother did not tell. One day, seeing him off, he said to him, “Look, for so long you have been coming here with thoughts to tell me, and when you come you will not say them, but each time you go away afflicted, keeping them. So tell me, child, what is it you have?” He said to him, “The demon attacks me with blasphemy against God, and I was ashamed to say it.” And having told him the matter, he was relieved at once. And the old man said to him, “Do not be afflicted, child; but when this thought comes, say, ‘It is not my affair; your blasphemy be upon you, Satan. For my soul does not want this thing.’ And everything the soul does not want is short-lived.” And the brother went away healed. [94] A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “I see that wherever I go I find help.” The old man says to him, “Even those who hold the sword in their hands have God showing them mercy in the present time. So if we are courageous, he shows his mercy to us.” [95] Abba Poemen said, “If a man blames himself, he endures everywhere.” ### Translation notes - The scan runs Poemen 91–95 (numbered in the print) into this saying; marked [91]–[95]. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.90 (PG 65:343–345; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-90). ## Poemen 96 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-96 - Source: PG 65:345 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: One can spend a century in the cell without learning to live there. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀμμωνᾶς, ὅτι Ἔστιν ἄνθρωπος ὃς ποιεῖ ἑκατὸν ἔτη ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ, καὶ οὐ μανθάνει πῶς δεῖ ἐν κελλίῳ καθίσαι. ### English translation (Claude) He also said that abba Ammonas used to say, “There is a man who spends a hundred years in his cell and does not learn how one should sit in the cell.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.96 (PG 65:345; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-96). ## Poemen 97 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-97 - Source: PG 65:345 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The pure in heart see themselves as worse than a murderer and let self-blame swallow others’ faults. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι Ἐὰν φθάσῃ ἄνθρωπος εἰς τὸ ῥητὸν τοῦ Ἀποστόλου, τὸ, Πάντα καθαρά τοῖς καθαροῖς· ὁρᾷ ἑαυτὸν ἐλάττονα πάσης τῆς κτίσεως. Λέγει ὁ ἀδελφός Πῶς δύναμαι ἐμαυτὸν ἐλάττονα τοῦ φονέως ἡγεῖσθαι; Λέγει ὁ γέρων, ὅτι Ἐὰν φθάσῃ ἄνθρωπος εἰς τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο, καὶ ἴδῃ ἄνθρωπον φονεύοντα, λέγει, ὅτι Ταύτην τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἐποίησε μόνην οὗτος, ἐγὼ δὲ φονεύω καθ' ἑκάστην ἡμέραν. μη΄. Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀδελφὸς τὸ αὐτὸ ῥῆμα τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀνοὺβ, ὡς ὅ τι εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀνοὺβ, ὅτι Ἐὰν φθάσῃ ἄνθρωπος εἰς τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο, καὶ ἴδῃ τὰ ὑστερήματα τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ, ποιεῖ τὴν δικαιοσύνην αὐτοῦ καταπιεῖν αὐτά. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφός Ποία ἐστὶν ἡ δικαιοσύνη αὐτοῦ; Απεκρίθη ὁ γέρων· Ἵνα πάντοτε καταμέμφηται ἑαυτόν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “If a man reaches the saying of the Apostle, ‘To the pure all things are pure,’ he sees himself less than all creation.” The brother says, “How can I consider myself less than a murderer?” The old man says, “If a man reaches this saying and sees a man committing murder, he says, ‘This man has committed only this one sin, but I commit murder every day.’” [98] The brother asked abba Anoub the same question, telling him what abba Poemen had said. And abba Anoub says to him, “If a man reaches this saying and sees his brother’s faults, he makes his own righteousness swallow them up.” The brother says to him, “What is his righteousness?” The old man answered, “Always to blame himself.” ### Scripture references - Titus 1:15: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Titus 1:15. The scan runs Poemen 98 (μηʹ) into this saying; marked [98]. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.97 (PG 65:345; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-97). ## Poemen 99 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-99 - Source: PG 65:345 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Confessing “I have sinned” ends the self-accusation at once. ### Greek text Αδελφὸς εἶπε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι, ὅτι Ἐὰν παραπέσω ἐν οἰκτρῷ παραπτώματι, κατεσθίει με ὁ λογισμός μου, καὶ κατηγορεῖ, Διατί παρέπεσες; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἐν ᾗ ὥρᾳ ὑποπίπτει ἄνθρωπος σφάλματι, καὶ εἴπῃ, Ἥμαρτον, παραυτὰ πέπαυται. ### English translation (Claude) A brother said to abba Poemen, “If I fall into a wretched fault, my thought devours me and accuses me: ‘Why did you fall?’” The old man says to him, “At the hour a man falls into a fault and says, ‘I have sinned,’ it ceases at once.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.99 (PG 65:345; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-99). ## Poemen 100 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-100 - Source: PG 65:345 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen answers a brother who despises his inferiors with Paul’s image of vessels in a great house. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Διατί πείθουσι τὴν ψυχήν μου οἱ δαίμονες, εἶναι μετὰ τοῦ ὑπερβαίνοντός με, καὶ ποιοῦσί με ἐξουδενῶσαι τὸν ἐλάττονά μου; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Διὰ τοῦτο εἶπεν ὁ Ἀπόστολος, ὅτι Ἐν μεγάλῃ οἰκίᾳ οὐκ ἔστιν μόνον σκεύη χρυσᾶ καὶ ἀργυρᾶ, ἀλλὰ καὶ ξύλινα καὶ ὀστράκινα. Ἐὰν οὖν ἐκκαθάρῃ τις ἑαυτὸν ἀπὸ πάντων τούτων, ἔσται σκεῦος εἰς τιμὴν, εὔχρηστον τῷ Δεσπότη, ἡτοιμασμένον εἰς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθόν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “Why do the demons persuade my soul to be with one who is above me and make me despise one who is less than I?” The old man says to him, “That is why the Apostle said, ‘In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. If anyone cleanses himself from all these, he will be a vessel for honor, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.’” ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 2:20: quotation, high confidence - 2 Tim 2:21: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of 2 Tim 2:20–21. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.100 (PG 65:345; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-100). ## Poemen 101 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-101 - Source: PG 65:345 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The enemy rejoices most over those who hide their thoughts. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Πῶς οὐκ ἀφίεμαι ἐλεύθερος γενέσθαι μετὰ τῶν γερόντων ἐν τοῖς λογισμοῖς μου; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων, ὅτι εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης ὁ Κολοβός, ὅτι Οὐ χαίρει ἐπ᾿ οὐδενὶ οὕτως ὁ ἐχθρὸς, ὡς ἐπὶ τοῖς μὴ ἐκφαίνουσι τοὺς λογισμοὺς αὐτῶν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “Why am I not allowed to be open with the old men about my thoughts?” The old man says to him that abba John the Dwarf said, “The enemy rejoices over nothing so much as over those who do not reveal their thoughts.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.101 (PG 65:345; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-101). ## Poemen 102 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-102 - Source: PG 65:347 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen holds up Joseph and Job as examples of enduring temptation to the end. ### Greek text 'Αδελφὸς εἶπε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι, ὅτι Ἡ καρδία μου παρειμένη ἐστὶν, ἐὰν καταλάβῃ με καμεῖν· μικρόν. Λέγει· αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Οὐ θαυμάζομεν τὸν Ἰωσὴφ μειράκιον ὄντα ἐτῶν δεκαεπτὰ, πῶς ὑπέμεινε· τὸν πειρασμὸν εἰς τέλος; καὶ ὁ Θεὸς ἐδόξασεν αὐτόν. Οὐχ ὁρῶμεν καὶ τὸν Ἰὼβ, πῶς οὐκ ἐνέδωκεν ἕως τέλους· κατέχων· τὴν ὑπομονήν; καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυσαν οἱ πειρασμοὶ παρασαλεῦσαι αὐτὸν τῆς ἐλπίδος τοῦ Θεοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) A brother said to abba Poemen, “My heart grows slack if a little toil comes upon me.” The old man says to him, “Do we not marvel at Joseph, a boy of seventeen, how he endured temptation to the end? And God glorified him. Do we not see Job too, how he did not give in to the end, holding fast to endurance? And the temptations could not shake him from his hope in God.” ### Scripture references - Gen 37:2: allusion, medium confidence - Jas 5:11: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Joseph: Gen 37:2; 39; Job: Jas 5:11. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.102 (PG 65:347; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-102). ## Poemen 103 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-103 - Source: PG 65:347 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A community needs humble, obedient, and energetic members. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν Χρήζει τὸ κοινόβιον ἔχειν τρεῖς πράξεις, μίαν ταπεινὴν, καὶ μίαν εἰς ὑπακοὴν, καὶ μίαν κεκινημένην καὶ ἔχουσαν τὸ κέντρον, διὰ τὸ ἔργον τοῦ κοινοβίου. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “A community needs three practices: one humble, one in obedience, and one active, with a goad, for the work of the community.” ### Translation notes - The Greek is compressed; the three “practices” may be three kinds of monks. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.103 (PG 65:347; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-103). ## Poemen 104 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-104 - Source: PG 65:347 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen rules that a loan received as alms belongs to the lender and should be given away in his name if he refuses it. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων Ἐν καιρῷ θλίψεώς μου ἐζήτησα παρὰ τινὸς τῶν ἁγίων πρᾶγμα ἐν χρήσει· καὶ ἔδωκέ μοι αὐτὸ ἀγάπην. Ἐὰν οὖν ὁ Θεὸς κἀμὲ οἰκονομήσῃ, δώσω αὐτὸ κἀγὼ ἀγάπην ἄλλοις, ἢ μᾶλλον τῷ δεδωκότι μοι αὐτό; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· "Ο τὸ δίκαιον παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ ἐστιν, ἵνα αὐτῷ δοθῇ αὐτοῦ γάρ ἐστι. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφός· Ἐὰν ἀπενέγκω οὖν, καὶ μὴ θελήσῃ λαβεῖν, ἀλλ᾽ εἴπῃ μοι, Ὕπαγε, ὡς θέλεις δὸς αὐτὸ ἀγάπην, τί ποιήσω; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Τέως αὐτοῦ ἐστι τὸ πρᾶγμα. Ἐὰν δὲ τις σοι παράσχῃ ἀφ᾿ ἑαυτοῦ, σοῦ μὴ αἰτήσαντος αὐτὸν, τοῦτο σὸν ἐστιν. Ἐὰν δὲ σὺ αἰτήσῃς ἢ παρὰ μοναχοῦ ἢ παρὰ κοσμικοῦ, καὶ μὴ θελήσῃ δέξασθαι αὐτὸ, τοῦτό ἐστι τὸ σύγκριμα, ἵνα εἰδότος αὐτοῦ παράσχῃς αὐτὸ ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ ἀγάπην. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “In a time of my distress I asked one of the saints for something as a loan, and he gave it to me as alms. So if God provides for me too, shall I give it as alms to others, or rather to the one who gave it to me?” The old man says to him, “What is just before God is that it be given back to him; for it is his.” The brother says to him, “If I take it back and he does not want to receive it, but says to me, ‘Go, give it as alms as you wish,’ what shall I do?” The old man says to him, “Even so, the thing is his. If someone gives you something of his own accord without your asking him, that is yours. But if you asked, whether from a monk or a layman, and he does not want to receive it back, this is the fitting way: that with his knowledge you give it as alms on his behalf.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.104 (PG 65:347; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-104). ## Poemen 105 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-105 - Source: PG 65:347 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen never set his word above another elder’s. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος, ὅτι οὐδέποτε ἤθελε δοῦναι τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ ἐπάνω ἄλλου γέροντος· ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον κατὰ πάντα ἐπῄνει αὐτόν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Poemen that he never wanted to put his own word above that of another old man, but rather praised him in everything. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.105 (PG 65:347; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-105). ## Poemen 106 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-106 - Source: PG 65:347 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Many Fathers were strong ascetics, but few had spiritual refinement. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Πολλοὶ τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν ἐγένοντο ἀνδρεῖοι εἰς τὴν ἄσκησιν· εἰς δὲ τὴν λεπτότητα εἷς, εἷς. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “Many of our Fathers became courageous in asceticism; but in refinement, only one here and there.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.106 (PG 65:347; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-106). ## Poemen 107 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-107 - Source: PG 65:347 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen tells Isaac that the watchful do not even notice a cock crowing. ### Greek text Καθημένου ποτὲ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἰσαὰκ πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, ἠκούσθη φωνὴ ἀλέκτορος. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἔνι ταῦτα ὧδε, ἀββᾶ; Ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἰσαὰκ, τί ἀναγκάζεις με λαλῆσαι; σὺ καὶ οἱ ὅμοιοί σου ἀκούετε τούτων· τῷ δὲ νήφοντι οὐ μέλει περὶ τούτων. ### English translation (Claude) Once when abba Isaac was sitting with abba Poemen, a cock’s crow was heard. And he says to him, “Are there such things here, abba?” He answered him, “Isaac, why do you force me to speak? You and those like you hear such things; but the watchful man does not care about them.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.107 (PG 65:347; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-107). ## Poemen 108 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-108 - Source: PG 65:347 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen and Anoub each defer to the other, and Poemen keeps silent in Anoub’s presence. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον, ὅτι εἰ ἤρχοντό τινες πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, ἀπέστελλεν αὐτοὺς πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀνοὺβ πρῶτον, ὅτι αὐτὸς μείζων τοῖς ἔτεσιν. Ὁ δὲ ἀββᾶς Ἀνοὺβ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· Πρὸς τὸν ἀδελφόν μου Ποιμένα ὑπάγετε, ὅτι αὐτὸς ἔχει τοῦ λόγου τὸ χάρισμα.. Εἰ δὲ ἐκάθητο ἐκεῖ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀνοὺβ ἐγγὺς τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος, οὐκ ἐλάλει ὅλως ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν παρόντος αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) They said that if people came to abba Poemen, he sent them first to abba Anoub, because he was older. But abba Anoub said to them, “Go to my brother Poemen, because he has the gift of the word.” And if abba Anoub was sitting near abba Poemen, abba Poemen did not speak at all in his presence. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.108 (PG 65:347; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-108). ## Poemen 109 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-109 - Source: PG 65:347–349 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A devout vegetable seller tells the monks a parable of three friends: asceticism, chastity, and almsgiving; two more sayings follow. ### Greek text Ἦν τις κοσμικὸς εὐλαβὴς πάνυ ἐν τῷ βίῳ αὐτοῦ, καὶ παρέβαλε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι· εὐκαίρησαν δὲ πρὸς τὸν γέροντα καὶ ἄλλοι ἀδελφοὶ, αἰτοῦντες αὐτὸν ἀκοῦσαι ῥῆμα. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων τῷ πιστῷ κοσμικῷ· Λάλησον τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς λόγον. Ὁ δὲ παρεκάλει, λέγων· Συγχώρησόν μοι, ἀββᾶ· ἐγὼ μαθεῖν ἦλθον. Καὶ βιασθεὶς ὑπὸ τοῦ γέροντος, εἶπεν· Ἐγὼ κοσμικός εἰμι λάχανα πωλῶν καὶ πραγματευόμενος, λύω τὰ δεμάτια, καὶ ποιῶ μικρὰ, ἀγοράζω ὀλίγου καὶ πωλῶ πολλοῦ. Πλὴν οὐκ οἶδα ἀπὸ Γραφῆς εἰπεῖν· παραβολὴν δὲ λέγω. "Ανθρωπός τις εἶπε τῷ φίλῳ αὐτοῦ· Ἐπειδὴ ἐπιθυμίαν ἔχω ἰδεῖν τὸν βασιλέα, δεῦρο μετ' ἐμοῦ. Λέγει δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ φίλος· Ἔρχομαι μετὰ σοῦ μέχρι μέσου τῆς ὁδοῦ. Καὶ λέγει ἄλλῳ φίλῳ αὐτοῦ Δεῦρο σὺ ἄρόν με πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Αίρω σε ἕως τοῦ παλατίου τοῦ βασιλέως. Λέγει δὲ καὶ τῷ τρίτῳ· Δεῦρο μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα. Ο δὲ εἶπεν· Ἐγὼ ἔρχομαι, καὶ ἀπάγω εἰς τὸ παλάτιον, καὶ στήκω καὶ λαλῶ καὶ εἰσάγω σε πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα. Ἠρώτων δὲ αὐτὸν, τίς ἡ δύναμις τῆς παραβολῆς. Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ὁ πρῶτος φίλος ἐστὶν ἡ ἄσκησις, ἡ ὁδηγοῦσα ἕως τῆς ὁδοῦ ὁ δεύτερός ἐστιν ἡ ἁγνεία, ἡ φθάνουσα ἕως τοῦ οὐρανοῦ· ὁ δὲ τρίτος ἐστὶν ἡ ἐλεημοσύνη, ἡ εἰσάγουσα ἕως τοῦ βασιλέως Θεοῦ μετὰ παῤῥησίας. Καὶ οἰκοδομηθέντες ἀνεχώρησαν οἱ ἀδελφοί. οι΄. Ἀδελφὸς ἐκάθητο ἔξω τῆς κώμης ἑαυτοῦ, καὶ ἐπὶ πολλὰ ἔτη οὐκ ἀνέβη εἰς τὴν κώμην, καὶ ἔλεγε τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς· Ἰδοὺ πόσα ἔτη ἔχω, καὶ οὐκ ἀνέβην εἰς τὴν κώμην· ὑμεῖς δὲ καθάπαξ ἀναβαίνετε. Εἶπον δὲ τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι περὶ αὐτοῦ· καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ἐγὼ ἤμην ἀναβαίνων τὴν νύκτα καὶ κυκλῶν τὴν κώμην, ἵνα μὴ καυχᾶται ὁ λογισμός μου ὡς μὴ ἀναβαίνοντός μου. ρια΄. Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Εἰπέ μοι ῥῆμα. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ὅτε καίεται ὑποκάτω ὁ λέβης, οὐ δύναται μυῖα ἅψασθαι αὐτοῦ, ἤ τι τῶν ἄλλων ἑρπετῶν· ὅταν δὲ ψυχρὸς ᾖ, τότε ἐπικάθηνται αὐτῷ. Οὕτω καὶ ὁ μοναχός· ὅσον ἐπιμένει ταῖς πνευματικαῖς πράξεσιν, οὐχ εὑρίσκει ὁ ἐχθρὸς κατενεγκεῖν αὐτόν. ### English translation (Claude) There was a man of the world, very devout in his life, and he visited abba Poemen; other brothers too happened to be with the old man, asking to hear a word. And the old man says to the faithful layman, “Speak a word to the brothers.” But he begged, saying, “Forgive me, abba; I came to learn.” And pressed by the old man, he said, “I am a man of the world, selling vegetables and trading; I undo the bundles and make small ones, buy cheap and sell dear. I do not know how to speak from Scripture, but I will tell a parable. A man said to his friend, ‘Since I want to see the king, come with me.’ The friend says to him, ‘I will come with you halfway.’ And he says to another friend, ‘Come, take me to the king.’ And he says to him, ‘I will take you as far as the king’s palace.’ He says also to the third, ‘Come with me to the king.’ He said, ‘I will come, and take you to the palace, and stand and speak, and bring you in to the king.’” They asked him what the meaning of the parable was. And he answered them, “The first friend is asceticism, which leads as far as the road; the second is chastity, which reaches to heaven; and the third is almsgiving, which brings one in to God the king with confidence.” And the brothers went away edified. [110] A brother lived outside his village, and for many years he did not go up to the village, and he said to the brothers, “Look how many years I have been here, and I have not gone up to the village; but you go up every so often.” They told abba Poemen about him; and the old man says, “I used to go up at night and walk around the village, so that my thought would not boast that I did not go up.” [111] A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “Tell me a word.” And he says to him, “When a fire burns under the pot, no fly or any other creeping thing can touch it; but when it is cold, then they settle on it. So too the monk: as long as he perseveres in spiritual practices, the enemy finds no way to bring him down.” ### Translation notes - The scan inserts the opening of a second version of the same story inside the first; the repetition is removed. Poemen 110 and 111 (numbered in the print) are run into this saying; marked [110] and [111]. Another version of the parable, with obedience as the third friend, stands inside 89.112. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.109 (PG 65:347–349; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-109). ## Poemen 112 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-112 - Source: PG 65:349–351 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen reads the saying about selling one’s cloak for a sword as giving up comfort for the narrow way. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωσὴφ περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος, ὅτι εἶπεν, ὅτι Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ λόγος ὁ γεγραμμένος ἐν τῷ Εὐαγγελίῳ, ὅτι Ὁ ἔχων ἱμάτιον πωλησάτω αὐτὸ, καὶ ἀγορασάτω μάχαιραν· τουτέστιν ὁ ἔχων ἀνάπαυσιν ἀφήσει αὐτὴν, καὶ κρατήσει τὴν στενὴν ὁδόν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Joseph said of abba Poemen that he said, “This is the word written in the Gospel: ‘Let him who has a cloak sell it and buy a sword’; that is, let him who has comfort give it up and hold to the narrow way.” ### Scripture references - Luke 22:36: quotation, high confidence - Matt 7:14: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - The scan inserts inside a word another version of the parable of the three friends (with obedience as the third friend; cf. 89.109); it is removed. Quotation of Luke 22:36; the narrow way: Matt 7:14. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.112 (PG 65:349–351; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-112). ## Poemen 113 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-113 - Source: PG 65:351 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen passes by a sinning brother without rebuking him. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησάν τινες τῶν Πατέρων τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγοντες· Ἐὰν ἴδωμέν τινα ἁμαρτάνοντα ἀδελφὸν, θέλεις ἐλέγξωμεν αὐτόν; Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Ἐγὼ τέως ἐὰν ἔχω χρείαν παρελθεῖν διὰ τῶν ἐκεῖ, καὶ ἴδω αὐτὸν ἁμαρτάνοντα, ὑπερβαίνω αὐτὸν, καὶ οὐκ ἐλέγχω αὐτόν. ### English translation (Claude) Some of the Fathers asked abba Poemen, saying, “If we see a brother sinning, do you want us to rebuke him?” The old man says to them, “For my part, if I need to pass that way and see him sinning, I pass him by and do not rebuke him.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.113 (PG 65:351; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-113). ## Poemen 114 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-114 - Source: PG 65:351 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen warns against accusing even on the evidence of one’s senses, telling of a monk deceived by sheaves of wheat. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Γέγραπται, ὅτι Ἃ εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί σου, ταῦτα διαμαρτύρου· ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν, ὅτι Ἐὰν καὶ ψηλαφήσητε ταῖς χερσὶν ὑμῶν, μὴ μαρτυρήσητε. Ἀδελφὸς γάρ τις ἐχλευάσθη ἔν τινι τοιούτῳ, καὶ εἶδεν ὡς τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ μετὰ γυναικὸς ἁμαρτάνοντα, καὶ πολλὰ πολεμηθεὶς, ἀπελθὼν ἔνυξεν αὐτοὺς, ὡς νομίζων αὐτοὺς εἶναι, τῷ ποδὶ αὐτοῦ, λέγων· Παύσασθε λοιπὸν, ἕως πότε; Καὶ ἰδοὺ εὑρέθησαν θαλλοὶ σίτου. Διὰ τοῦτο εἶπον ὑμῖν, ὅτι Καὶ ἐὰν ψηλαφήσητε ταῖς χερσὶν ὑμῶν, μὴ ἐλέγχετε. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “It is written, ‘What your eyes have seen, bear witness to it’; but I say to you, even if you touch with your hands, do not bear witness. For a brother was mocked in such a matter: he thought he saw his brother sinning with a woman, and being greatly attacked, he went and kicked them with his foot, thinking it was they, saying, ‘Stop now; how long?’ And look, they were found to be sheaves of wheat. That is why I told you, even if you touch with your hands, do not rebuke.” ### Scripture references - Prov 25:7: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - The quoted saying resembles Prov 25:7–8 (LXX); the story concerns a false appearance of sexual sin. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.114 (PG 65:351; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-114). ## Poemen 115 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-115 - Source: PG 65:351 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen reads David’s lion and bear as anger cut off and lust crushed by labor. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τον ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Τί ποιήσω, ὅτι πολεμοῦμαι εἰς τὴν πορνείαν καὶ εἰς τὸν θυμόν; Λέγει ὁ γέρων· Διὰ τοῦτο ὁ Δαβὶδ ἔλεγεν, ὅτι Τὸν μὲν λέοντα ἐπάτασσον, τὴν δὲ ἄρκτον ἀπέπνιγον· τοῦτο δὲ ἐστιν, ὅτι τὸν μὲν θυμὸν ἀπέκοπτον, τὴν δὲ πορνείαν ἐν πόνοις ἔθλιβον. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “What shall I do, for I am attacked by sexual temptation and by anger?” The old man says, “That is why David said, ‘The lion I struck, and the bear I strangled’; that is, anger I cut off, and sexual desire I crushed with labors.” ### Scripture references - 1 Sam 17:35: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - 1 Sam 17:34–36. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.115 (PG 65:351; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-115). ## Poemen 116 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-116 - Source: PG 65:351 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Bearing insults and wrongs without retaliating is laying down one’s life for one’s neighbor. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Μείζονα ταύτης τῆς ἀγάπης οὐκ ἔστιν εὑρεῖν τινα, τοῦ θεῖναι τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ὑπὲρ τοῦ πλησίον αὐτοῦ. Εἰ γάρ τις ἀκούσει λόγον πονηρὸν, τουτέστι λυπηρὸν, δυνάμενος καὶ αὐτὸς τὸν ὅμοιον εἰπεῖν, καὶ ἀγωνήσηται μὴ εἰπεῖν· ἢ ἐὰν πλεονεκτηθῇ, καὶ βαστάζῃ, καὶ μὴ ἀνταποδώσει αὐτῷ· ὁ τοιοῦτος τίθησι τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ὑπὲρ τοῦ πλησίον. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “There is no greater love than this, that someone lay down his life for his neighbor. For if someone hears an evil word, that is, a hurtful one, and though he can say the like himself, he struggles not to say it; or if he is wronged and bears it and does not repay him, such a one lays down his life for his neighbor.” ### Scripture references - John 15:13: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of John 15:13. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.116 (PG 65:351; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-116). ## Poemen 117 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-117 - Source: PG 65:351 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A hypocrite teaches what he has not attained himself. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Τί ἐστιν ὑποκριτής; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ὑποκριτής ἐστιν ὁ διδάσκων τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ πρᾶγμα, εἰς ὃ αὐτὸς οὐκ ἔφθασε. Γέγραπται γάρ· Τί βλέπεις τὸ κάρφος τὸ ἐν τῷ ὀφθαλμῷ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἡ δοκὸς ἐν τῷ ὀφθαλμῷ σου; καὶ τὰ ἐξῆς. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “What is a hypocrite?” The old man says to him, “A hypocrite is one who teaches his neighbor something he has not attained himself. For it is written, ‘Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, and look, the beam is in your own eye?’ and so on.” ### Scripture references - Matt 7:3: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Matt 7:3–4. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.117 (PG 65:351; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-117). ## Poemen 118 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-118 - Source: PG 65:351–353 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Anger at a brother is always without cause unless he separates one from God. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Τί ἐστι τὸ ὀργισθῆναι εἰκῆ τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ; Καὶ εἶπε· Πᾶσαν πλεονεξίαν ἣν πλεονεκτήσει σε ὁ ἀδελφός σου, καὶ ὀργισθῇς αὐτῷ, εἰκῆ ὀργίζῃ. Κἂν ἐξορύξῃ τὸν δεξιὸν ὀφθαλμόν σου, καὶ ἐκκόψῃ τὴν δεξιάν σου χεῖρα, καὶ ὀργισθῆς αὐτῷ, εἰκῆ ὀργίζῃ· ἐὰν δὲ χωρίζῃ σε ἀπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ, τότε ὀργίσθητι ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “What is it to be angry with one’s brother without cause?” And he said, “Whatever wrong your brother does you, if you are angry with him, you are angry without cause. Even if he gouges out your right eye and cuts off your right hand and you are angry with him, you are angry without cause; but if he separates you from God, then be angry.” ### Scripture references - Matt 5:22: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - The scan inserts here a second copy of the preceding saying (89.116) inside the sentence; it is removed. Cf. Matt 5:22. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.118 (PG 65:351–353; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-118). ## Poemen 119 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-119 - Source: PG 65:353 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Weeping is the only way to redeem sins and acquire virtues. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Τί ποιήσω ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις μου; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων, ὅτι Ὁ θέλων λυτρώσασθαι ἁμαρτίας, κλαυθμῷ λυτροῦται αὐτάς· καὶ ὁ θέλων κτήσασθαι ἀρετὰς, κλαυθμῷ κτᾶται αὐτάς. Τὸ γὰρ κλαίειν ἐστὶν ἡ ὁδὸς ἣν παρέδωκεν ἡμῖν ἡ Γραφὴ, καὶ οἱ Πατέρες ἡμῶν, λέγοντες· Κλαύσατε. Ἄλλη γὰρ ὁδὸς οὐκ ἔστιν, εἰ μὴ αὕτη. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “What shall I do about my sins?” The old man says to him, “Whoever wants to be redeemed from sins redeems them by weeping; and whoever wants to acquire virtues acquires them by weeping. For weeping is the way that the Scripture and our Fathers handed down to us, saying, ‘Weep.’ For there is no other way but this.” ### Scripture references - Jas 4:9: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.119 (PG 65:353; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-119). ## Poemen 120 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-120 - Source: PG 65:353 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Repentance is to sin no more. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ἀδελφὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα· Τί ἐστι μετάνοια τῆς ἁμαρτίας; Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων· Τὸ μὴ τοῦ λοιποῦ ποιεῖν αὐτήν. Διὰ τοῦτο γὰρ ἐκλήθησαν ἄμωμοι οἱ δίκαιοι, ὅτι κατέλιπον τὰς ἁμαρτίας, καὶ δίκαιοι ἐγένοντο. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, “What is repentance for sin?” And the old man said, “Not to do it any more. For this is why the righteous were called blameless: because they left their sins and became righteous.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.120 (PG 65:353; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-120). ## Poemen 121 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-121 - Source: PG 65:353 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: People do not see their own wickedness, which lies behind them. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι ἡ πονηρία τῶν ἀνθρώπων ὄπισθέν ἐστιν αὐτῶν κεκρυμμένη. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “The wickedness of men is hidden behind them.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.121 (PG 65:353; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-121). ## Poemen 122 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-122 - Source: PG 65:353 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: In every trouble, weep before God until he shows mercy. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα· Τί ποιήσω ταῖς ταραχαῖς ταύταις ταῖς ταραττούσαις με; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Κλαύσωμεν ἐνώπιον τῆς ἀγαθότητος τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν παντὶ κόπῳ ἡμῶν, ἕως ποιήσει μεθ' ἡμῶν τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, “What shall I do about these troubles that trouble me?” The old man says to him, “Let us weep before the goodness of God in all our toil, until he shows us his mercy.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.122 (PG 65:353; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-122). ## Poemen 123 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-123 - Source: PG 65:353 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Leave unprofitable friendships alone and they will fade. ### Greek text Πάλιν ἠρώτησεν αὐτὸν ὁ ἀδελφός Τί ποιήσω ταῖς ἀκερδέσι μου φιλίαις ἃς ἔχω; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ἔστιν ἄνθρωπος ῥέγχων εἰς τὸ ἀποθανεῖν, καὶ προσέχων φιλίαις τοῦ κόσμου τούτου. Μὴ ἐγγίσῃς, μηδὲ ἅψῃ αὐτῶν· καὶ ἀφ' ἑαυτῶν ἀλλοτριοῦνται. ### English translation (Claude) Again the brother asked him, “What shall I do about the unprofitable friendships I have?” He said, “There is a man in his death rattle who still attends to the friendships of this world. Do not come near them or touch them; and they will fall away of themselves.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.123 (PG 65:353; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-123). ## Poemen 124 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-124 - Source: PG 65:353 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sin makes a man dead; good makes him live. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Δύναται ἄνθρωπος εἶναι νεκρός; Λέγει αὐτῷ, ὅτι Ἐὰν φθάσῃ εἰς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν, γίνεται ἀποθανών· ἐὰν δὲ φθάσῃ εἰς τὸ ἀγαθὸν, ζήσεται καὶ ποιήσει αὐτό. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “Can a man be dead?” He says to him, “If he comes to sin, he becomes dead; but if he comes to the good, he will live and do it.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.124 (PG 65:353; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-124). ## Poemen 125 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-125 - Source: PG 65:353 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen repeats Antony: take the blame for your faults and expect temptation to the end. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι εἶπεν ὁ μακάριος ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος, ὅτι Ἡ μεγάλη δυναστεία τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐστὶν, ἵνα ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ βάλῃ τὸ ἴδιον σφάλμα ἐνώπιον Κυρίου, καὶ προσδοκήσῃ πειρασμὸν ἕως ἐσχάτης ἀναπνοῆς. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said that blessed abba Antony said, “The great power of a man is to lay his own fault upon himself before the Lord, and to expect temptation until his last breath.” ### Translation notes - The same saying stands under Antony (1.4). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.125 (PG 65:353; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-125). ## Poemen 126 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-126 - Source: PG 65:353 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: “Do not worry about tomorrow” is for the tempted: live one day at a time. ### Greek text Ἠρωτήθη ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι εἰς τίνα ἔρχεται ὁ λόγος ὁ γεγραμμένος, ὅτι Μὴ φροντίσητε περὶ τῆς αὔριον. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Πρὸς ἄνθρωπον ὄντα ἐν πειρασμῷ καὶ ὀλιγωροῦντα ἐῤῥήθη, ἵνα μὴ φροντίσῃ, λέγων, Πόσον χρόνον ἔχω ἐν τῷ πειρασμῷ τούτῳ; ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον λογίσηται, λέγων καθ᾿ ἑκάστην, τὸ σήμερον. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen was asked to whom the written word applies, “Do not worry about tomorrow.” The old man says to him, “It was said to a man who is in temptation and losing heart, so that he may not worry, saying, ‘How long shall I be in this temptation?’ but rather think, saying each day, ‘Today.’” ### Scripture references - Matt 6:34: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Matt 6:34. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.126 (PG 65:353; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-126). ## Poemen 127 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-127 - Source: PG 65:353 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Only the healthy and passionless should teach others. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Τὸ διδάξαι τὸν πλησίον ὑγιαίνοντός ἐστι καὶ ἀπαθοῦς· ἐπεὶ τίς χρεία οίκοδομῆσαί τινα ἄλλου οἰκίαν, καὶ τὴν ἰδίαν καταστρέψαι ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Teaching one’s neighbor belongs to one who is healthy and free of passion; for what need is there to build someone else’s house and pull down one’s own?” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.127 (PG 65:353; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-127). ## Poemen 128 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-128 - Source: PG 65:353 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: There is no point entering a craft without learning it. ### Greek text Πάλιν εἶπεν, ὅτι Τίς χρεία ἀπελθεῖν τινὰ εἰς τέχνην, καὶ μὴ μαθεῖν αὐτήν; ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “What need is there for someone to go to a trade and not learn it?” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.128 (PG 65:353; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-128). ## Poemen 129 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-129 - Source: PG 65:353 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: All excess comes from demons. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Τὰ ὑπέρμετρα πάντα τῶν δαιμόνων εἰσίν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “All excesses are of the demons.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.129 (PG 65:353; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-129). ## Poemen 130 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-130 - Source: PG 65:353–355 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: As a builder gathers varied materials, take a little of every virtue. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, Ὅτι ὅταν μέλλῃ ἄνθρωπος οἰκοδομῆσαι οἶκον, πολλὰς χρείας συνάγει, ὅπως δυνηθῇ στῆσαι τὸν οἶκον, καὶ διάφορα δὲ εἴδη συνάγει. Οὕτως καὶ ἡμεῖς, λάβωμεν πρὸς μικρὸν ἀπὸ πασῶν τῶν ἀρετῶν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “When a man is about to build a house, he gathers many materials so as to be able to raise the house, and he gathers various kinds. So let us too take a little from all the virtues.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.130 (PG 65:353–355; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-130). ## Poemen 131 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-131 - Source: PG 65:355 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen would have pampered Nisterus’s difficult disciple, citing the beam and the speck. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησάν τινες τῶν Πατέρων τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγοντες· Πῶς οὕτως ἠνέσχετο ὁ ἀββᾶς Νισθερῶος τοῦ μαθητοῦ αὐτοῦ; Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Εἰ ἐγὼ ἤμην, καὶ τὸ κερδικάριον ἐτίθουν πρὸς κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀνούβ· Καὶ τί ἔλεγες τῷ Θεῷ; Λέγει ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Ἐρῶ οὖν, ὅτι Σὺ εἶπας· Ἔκβαλε πρῶτον τὴν δοκὸν ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου, καὶ τότε διαβλέψεις ἐκβαλεῖν τὸ κάρφος ἐκ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου. ### English translation (Claude) Some of the Fathers asked abba Poemen, saying, “How did abba Nisterus bear so much with his disciple?” Abba Poemen says to them, “If I had been there, I would even have put the pillow under his head.” Abba Anoub says to him, “And what would you have said to God?” Abba Poemen says, “I would say, ‘You said, “First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”’” ### Scripture references - Matt 7:5: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Matt 7:5. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.131 (PG 65:355; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-131). ## Poemen 132 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-132 - Source: PG 65:355 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Fasting and vigil kept the old monks from noticing trifles. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Ἡ πεῖνα καὶ ὁ νυσταγμός οὐκ ἀφῆκεν ἡμᾶς ἰδεῖν ταῦτα τὰ εὐτελῆ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “Hunger and sleepiness did not let us see these petty things.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.132 (PG 65:355; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-132). ## Poemen 133 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-133 - Source: PG 65:355 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Many were strong, but few were stirred to zeal. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν Πολλοὶ ἐγένοντο δυνατοὶ, ὀλίγοι δὲ παροξύναντες. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Many became powerful, but few were provoked.” ### Translation notes - The sense of παροξύναντες is uncertain (perhaps “few spurred others on”). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.133 (PG 65:355; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-133). ## Poemen 134 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-134 - Source: PG 65:355 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The missing virtue in the community is self-blame. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, μετὰ στεναγμῶν Πᾶσαι αἱ ἀρεταὶ εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦτον εἰσῆλθον, παρὰ μίαν ἀρετὴν· καὶ ἐκτὸς αὐτῆς κόπῳ ἵσταται ἄνθρωπος. Ἠρώτησαν οὖν αὐτὸν τίς ἐστι. Καὶ εἶπεν· Ἵνα ὁ ἄνθρωπος μέμψηται ἑαυτόν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, with groans, “All the virtues have come into this house except one virtue; and without it a man stands with difficulty.” So they asked him what it is. And he said, “That a man blame himself.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.134 (PG 65:355; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-134). ## Poemen 135 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-135 - Source: PG 65:355 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A watchful mind is all we need. ### Greek text Ἔλεγε πολλάκις ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι Οὐ δεόμεθά τινος, εἰ μὴ νηφούσης διανοίας. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen often said, “We need nothing except a watchful mind.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.135 (PG 65:355; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-135). ## Poemen 136 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-136 - Source: PG 65:355 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen ascribes the psalm verse about companionship with the God-fearing to the Holy Spirit. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησέ τις τῶν Πατέρων τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Τίς ἐστιν ὁ λέγων, Μέτοχος ἐγώ εἰμι πάντων τῶν φοβουμένων σε Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων· Τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιόν ἐστιν ὁ λέγων. ### English translation (Claude) One of the Fathers asked abba Poemen, saying, “Who is it who says, ‘I am a companion of all who fear you’?” And the old man said, “It is the Holy Spirit who says it.” ### Scripture references - Ps 119:63 (118:63 LXX): quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Ps 119:63 (LXX 118:63). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.136 (PG 65:355; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-136). ## Poemen 137 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-137 - Source: PG 65:355 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Simon tells a brother to keep watch over himself both inside and outside his cell. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι ἠρώτησεν ἀδελφὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Σίμωνα, λέγων, ὅτι Ἐὰν ἐξέλθω ἐκ τοῦ κελλίου μου, καὶ εὕρω τὸν ἀδελφόν μου περισπώμενον, κἀγὼ περισπῶμαι μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐὰν εὕρω αὐτὸν γελῶντα, κἀγὼ γελῶ μετ' αὐτοῦ· ἐὰν οὖν εἰσέλθω εἰς τὸ κελλίον μου, οὐκ ἀφίεμαι ἀνάπαυσιν ἔχειν. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Θέλεις, ἐὰν ἐξέλθῃς ἐκ τοῦ κελλίου σου, καὶ εὕρῃς τοὺς γελῶντας, καὶ σὺ γελάσαι· καὶ τοὺς λαλοῦντας, καὶ σὺ λαλῆσαι· καὶ εἰσέλθῃς εἰς τὸ κελλίον σου, καὶ εὕρῃς ἑαυτὸν ὡς ἧς; Λέγει ὁ ἀδελφός· Ἀλλὰ τί; Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ γέρων εἶπεν· Ἔσω τήρει φυλακήν, ἔξω τήρει φυλακήν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said that a brother asked abba Simon, saying, “If I go out of my cell and find my brother distracted, I too am distracted with him; and if I find him laughing, I too laugh with him; then when I go into my cell, I am not allowed to have rest.” The old man says to him, “Do you want, when you go out of your cell and find people laughing, to laugh too, and those talking, to talk too, and then to go into your cell and find yourself as you were?” The brother says, “But what then?” And the old man answered, “Keep watch inside, keep watch outside.” ### Translation notes - Two displaced fragments printed at the end in the scan (one belonging to the next saying, one to another saying) are removed; the first is restored in 89.138. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.137 (PG 65:355; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-137). ## Poemen 138 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-138 - Source: PG 65:355 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen pretends to sleep to hide his practice when Daniel comes to talk privately. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Δανιήλ, ὅτι Παρεβάλομέν ποτε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι, καὶ ἐγευσάμεθα ὁμοῦ. Καὶ μετὰ τὸ γεύσασθαι ὁμοῦ, λέγει ἡμῖν· Ὑπάγετε, ἀναπαύεσθε μικρὸν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀπῆλθον οὖν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ μικρὸν ἀναπαῆναι, κἀγὼ παρέμεινα λαλῆσαι αὐτῷ κατὰ μόνας, καὶ ἀναστὰς ἦλθον εἰς τὴν κέλλαν αὐτοῦ. Ὡς οὖν εἶδέ με ἐρχόμενον πρὸς αὐτὸν, ἔθηκεν ἑαυτὸν ὡς κοιμώμενον. Αὐτὴ γὰρ ἦν ἡ ἐργασία τοῦ γέροντος, πάντα ἐν κρυπτῷ ποιεῖν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Daniel said, “Once we visited abba Poemen and ate together. And after eating together, he says to us, ‘Go, rest a little, brothers.’ So the brothers went away to rest a little, but I stayed to speak with him privately, and getting up I came to his cell. When he saw me coming to him, he lay down as though asleep.” For this was the old man’s practice, to do everything in secret. ### Scripture references - Matt 6:6: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The words “after eating together, he says to us, ‘Go,’” displaced in the scan to the end of 89.137, are restored here. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.138 (PG 65:355; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-138). ## Poemen 139 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-139 - Source: PG 65:355–357 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Do not pass on what you see and hear, for it stirs up the spiritual war. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Ἐὰν ἴδῃς θεάματα, καὶ ἀκοὰς ἀκούσῃς, μὴ διηγοῦ αὐτὰ τῷ πλησίον σου· ἀνατροπὴ γάρ ἐστι πολέμου. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “If you see sights and hear reports, do not tell them to your neighbor; for it is the overthrow of the war.” ### Translation notes - A variant form of saying 134 (from Migne’s notes) merged into the sentence is removed. “Overthrow of the war” is obscure (perhaps “it stirs up war”). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.139 (PG 65:355–357; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-139). ## Poemen 140 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-140 - Source: PG 65:357 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Flee temptation twice, then turn and fight. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Τὸ πρῶτον φύγε ἅπαξ, τὸ δεύτερον φύγε, τὸ τρίτον, γενοῦ ῥομφαία. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “The first time, flee; the second time, flee; the third time, become a sword.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.140 (PG 65:357; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-140). ## Poemen 141 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-141 - Source: PG 65:357 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen counsels Isaac to relax some of his strictness. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἰσαάκ· Κούφισον μέρος τῆς δικαιοσύνης σου, καὶ ἕξεις ἀνάπαυσιν τὰς ὀλίγας ἡμέρας σου. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen also said to abba Isaac, “Lighten part of your righteousness, and you will have rest in your few days.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.141 (PG 65:357; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-141). ## Poemen 142 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-142 - Source: PG 65:357 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen defines hatred of evil as hating one’s own sins and justifying one’s neighbor. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς παρέβαλε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι· καὶ συγκαθεζομένων τινῶν, ἐπήνεσέ τινα ἀδελφὸν, ὡς ὅτι μισοπονηρός ἐστι. Λέγει ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν τῷ λαλήσαντι· Καὶ τί ἐστι μισοπονηρία; Ἐξέστη δὲ ὁ ἀδελφὸς, καὶ οὐχ εὖρεν ἀποκριθῆναι· ἀναστὰς δὲ μετενόησε τῷ γέροντι, λέγων· Εἰπέ μοι τί ἐστι μισοπονηρία; Ἔφη ὁ γέρων· Μισοπονηρία αὕτη ἐστὶν, εἴ τις τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτοῦ ἐμίσησε, καὶ τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ ἐδικαίωσεν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother visited abba Poemen; and while some were sitting with them, he praised a certain brother as a hater of evil. Abba Poemen says to the one who had spoken, “And what is hatred of evil?” The brother was taken aback and found nothing to answer; and getting up he made a prostration to the old man, saying, “Tell me, what is hatred of evil?” The old man said, “This is hatred of evil: if someone has hated his own sins and justified his neighbor.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.142 (PG 65:357; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-142). ## Poemen 143 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-143 - Source: PG 65:357 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Keep company with one who has no will of his own. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς παραβαλὼν τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι, λέγει αὐτῷ· Τί ποιήσω; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ὕπαγε, πλησίασον μετὰ τοῦ λέγοντος, Τί θέλω ἐγώ; καὶ ἕξεις ἀνάπαυσιν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother visited abba Poemen and says to him, “What shall I do?” The old man says to him, “Go, attach yourself to one who says, ‘What do I want?’ and you will have rest.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.143 (PG 65:357; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-143). ## Poemen 144 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-144 - Source: PG 65:357 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: In ecstasy Poemen was with Mary weeping at the cross. ### Greek text Διηγήσατο ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωσὴφ, ὅτι εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰσαὰκ, ὅτι Ἐκαθήμην ποτὲ πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα· καὶ εἶδον αὐτὸν ἐν ἐκστάσει γενόμενον· καὶ ἐπειδὴ εἶχον πρὸς αὐτὸν πολλὴν παῤῥησίαν, ἔβαλον αὐτῷ μετάνοιαν, καὶ παρεκάλεσα αὐτὸν, λέγων· Εἰπέ μοι, ποῦ ἧς; Ὁ δὲ ἀναγκασθεὶς εἶπεν· Ὁ ἐμὸς λογισμὸς, ὅπου ἡ ἁγία Μαρία ἡ Θεοτόκος ἕστηκε, καὶ ἔκλαιεν ἐπὶ τοῦ σταυροῦ τοῦ Σωτῆρος· καὶ ἐγὼ ἤθελον πάντοτε οὕτως κλαίειν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Joseph related that abba Isaac said, “Once I was sitting with abba Poemen, and I saw him in ecstasy; and since I had great freedom with him, I made a prostration to him and begged him, saying, ‘Tell me, where were you?’ And under pressure he said, ‘My thought was where holy Mary the Theotokos stood and wept at the cross of the Savior; and I would like always to weep like that.’” ### Scripture references - John 19:25: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Mary at the cross: John 19:25. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.144 (PG 65:357; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-144). ## Poemen 145 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-145 - Source: PG 65:357 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen likens persevering in heaviness to towing a boat, and self-blame to the stake that holds it in the dark. ### Greek text Αδελφὸς ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Τί ποιήσω τῷ βάρει τούτῳ τῷ συνέχοντί με; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων, ὅτι Τὰ μικρὰ πλοῖα καὶ τὰ μεγάλα ἔχουσι ζώνας, ἵνα ἂν μὴ ᾖ εὔφορος ἄνεμος, βάλωσι τὸ παρόλκιον καὶ τὰς ζώνας εἰς τὰ στήθη αὐτῶν, καὶ κατ' ὀλίγον ἕλκωσι τὸ πλοῖον ἕως οὗ ὁ Θεὸς πέμψῃ τὸν ἄνεμον· ἐὰν δὲ μάθωσιν ὅτι ἀνέστη γνόφος, τότε δὴ ὁρμῶσι καὶ βάλλουσι πάσσαλον, ἵνα μὴ ῥέμβηται. Ὁ πάσσαλος δέ ἐστι τὸ ἑαυτὸν μέμφεσθαι. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “What shall I do about this heaviness that oppresses me?” The old man says to him, “Small and large boats have towlines, so that if there is no favorable wind, they put the towrope and the lines over their chests and little by little pull the boat until God sends the wind; but if they learn that darkness has come on, then they hasten to drive in a stake, so that it does not drift. … The stake is blaming oneself.” ### Translation notes - The last sentence, displaced in the scan into 89.148, is restored here; words may be lost before it (“…”). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.145 (PG 65:357; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-145). ## Poemen 146 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-146 - Source: PG 65:357 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Quench the enemy’s fire of thoughts with the water of throwing oneself before God. ### Greek text Αδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα διὰ τὰς τῶν λογισμῶν ἐπηρείας. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Τοῦτο τὸ πρᾶγμα ἔοικεν ἀνδρὶ ἔχοντι πῦρ ἐξ εὐωνύμων, καὶ κρατῆρα ὕδατος ἐκ δεξιῶν. Ἐὰν οὖν ἀφθῇ τὸ πῦρ, λάβῃ ἐκ τοῦ κρατῆρος τὸ ὕδωρ, καὶ σβέσῃ αὐτό. Τὸ πῦρ ἐστιν ὁ σπόρος τοῦ ἐχθροῦ· τὸ δὲ ὕδωρ, τὸ ῥίψαι ἑαυτὸν ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen about the harassment of thoughts. And the old man says to him, “This is like a man who has fire on his left and a bowl of water on his right. If the fire flares up, let him take water from the bowl and put it out. The fire is the seed of the enemy; the water is throwing oneself down before God.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.146 (PG 65:357; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-146). ## Poemen 147 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-147 - Source: PG 65:357 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Speech and silence are both good if for God’s sake. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Βέλτιόν ἐστι τὸ λαλῆσαι ἢ σιωπῆσαι; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων, ὅτι Ὁ λαλῶν διὰ τὸν Θεὸν καλῶς ποιεῖ, καὶ ὁ σιωπῶν διὰ τὸν Θεὸν, ὁμοίως. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “Is it better to speak or to keep silent?” The old man says to him, “One who speaks for God’s sake does well, and one who keeps silent for God’s sake likewise.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.147 (PG 65:357; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-147). ## Poemen 148 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-148 - Source: PG 65:357–359 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Self-blame makes one’s brother seem precious; self-esteem makes him seem bad. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Πῶς δύναται ἄνθρωπος ἐκφυγεῖν τῷ κακῶς εἰπεῖν τῷ πλησίον; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἡμεῖς καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ ἡμῶν, δύο εἰκόνες ἐσμέν· ἣν δ᾽ ἂν ὥραν ἄνθρωπος ἑαυτῷ προσέχῃ καὶ μέμψηται, εὑρίσκεται ἔντιμος παρ᾿ αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ· ὅτε δὲ ἑαυτῷ φαίνεται καλὸς, εὑρίσκει τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ κακὸν ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “How can a man avoid speaking evil of his neighbor?” The old man says to him, “We and our brothers are two images: whenever a man attends to himself and blames himself, his brother is found precious in his sight; but when he seems good to himself, he finds his brother bad in his sight.” ### Translation notes - A sentence belonging to 89.145 and a variant note are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.148 (PG 65:357–359; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-148). ## Poemen 149 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-149 - Source: PG 65:359 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Listlessness attends every beginning but loses power once recognized. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα διὰ τὴν ἀκηδίαν. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων, ὅτι Ἡ ἀκηδία στήκει ἐπὶ πάσῃ ἀρχῇ, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι χεῖρον αὐτῆς πάθος· ἀλλ᾽ ἐὰν γνωρίσῃ αὐτὴν ὁ ἄνθρωπος, ὅτι αὕτη ἐστὶν, ἀναπαύεται. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen about listlessness. And the old man says to him, “Listlessness stands at every beginning, and there is no worse passion; but if a man recognizes it for what it is, he is at rest.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.149 (PG 65:359; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-149). ## Poemen 150 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-150 - Source: PG 65:359 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pambo fasted daily till evening, kept silence, and worked hard. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι Τρεῖς σωματικάς πράξεις ἴδομεν τοῦ ἀββᾶ Παμβώ· ἀσιτίαν ἕως ὀψὲ καθ' ἑκάστην ἡμέραν, καὶ σιωπὴν, καὶ μέγα ἐργόχειρον. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “We saw three bodily practices in abba Pambo: fasting until evening every day, silence, and much handiwork.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.150 (PG 65:359; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-150). ## Poemen 151 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-151 - Source: PG 65:359 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Theonas says grace stays with one who shares it; Poemen warns that the community requires giving up all control, and answers with a psalm of confession. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Θεωνᾶς, ὅτι Κἂν κερδήσῃ τις ἀρετὴν, ὁ Θεὸς οὐ παρέχει μόνῳ αὐτῷ τὴν χάριν· οἶδε γὰρ ὅτι οὐκ ἦν πιστὸς τοῦ ἰδίου καμάτου· ἀλλ᾽ ἐὰν ἀπέλθῃ πρὸς τὸν ἑταῖρον αὐτοῦ, τότε παραμένει αὐτῷ. ρυβ΄. Αδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Θέλω εἰς κοινόβιον εἰσελθεῖν, καὶ οἰκῆσαι. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Εἰ θέλεις εἰς κοινόβιον εἰσελθεῖν, εἰ μὴ ἀμεριμνήσῃς ἀπὸ πάσης συντυχίας καὶ παντὸς πράγματος, οὐ δύνασαι κοινόβιον ἐργάσασθαι· τοῦ γὰρ βαυκαλίου μόνου οὐκ ἔχεις ἐξουσίαν. ρνγ'. Ἀδελφὸς ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Τί ποιήσω; Καὶ εἶπεν· Γέγραπται, ὅτι Τὴν ἀνομίαν μου ἐγὼ ἀναγγελῶ, καὶ μεριμνήσω ὑπὲρ τῆς ἁμαρτίας μου. ### English translation (Claude) He also said that abba Theonas used to say, “Even if someone gains a virtue, God does not give him the grace for himself alone; for he knows that he was not faithful in his own labor; but if he goes to his companion, then it stays with him.” [152] A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “I want to enter a community and live there.” The old man says to him, “If you want to enter a community, unless you become free of care about every meeting and every matter, you cannot do the work of a community; for you will not have authority even over the jug alone.” [153] A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “What shall I do?” And he said, “It is written, ‘I will declare my iniquity, and I will be anxious over my sin.’” ### Scripture references - Ps 38:18 (37:19 LXX): quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - The scan runs Poemen 152 and 153 (numbered in the print) into this saying; marked [152] and [153]. Quotation of Ps 38:18 (LXX 37:19). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.151 (PG 65:359; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-151). ## Poemen 154 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-154 - Source: PG 65:359 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Do not even entertain thoughts of lust or slander; turn sharply from them. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Τῆς πορνείας καὶ τῆς καταλαλιᾶς οὐ δέον ἐστὶν ἄνθρωπον τὸ σύνολον οὐδὲ λαλῆσαι τοὺς δύο λογισμοὺς τούτους, οὐδὲ ὅλως ἐννοῆσαι τῇ καρδίᾳ. Ἐάν τε γὰρ θέλῃ ὅλως διακρίναι αὐτὰ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ, οὐκ ὠφελεῖται· ἀλλ᾽ ἀγριανθεὶς ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν ἔξει ἀνάπαυσιν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “With sexual immorality and slander a man ought not to speak these two thoughts at all, nor even think of them in his heart. For if he wants to examine them at all in his heart, he does not benefit; but if he turns fiercely away from them, he will have rest.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.154 (PG 65:359; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-154). ## Poemen 155 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-155 - Source: PG 65:359 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen calls the crying of children the voices of angels and refuses to leave. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον οἱ ἀδελφοὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος αὐτῷ· Ἀπέλθωμεν ἐκ τοῦ τόπου τούτου· ὀχλοῦσι γὰρ τὰ μοναστήρια τοῦ τόπου τούτου ἡμῖν, καὶ ἀπόλλυμεν τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν· ἰδοὺ καὶ τὰ παιδία κλαίοντα οὐκ ἀφίουσιν ἡμᾶς ἡσυχάσαι. Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Διὰ τὰς φωνὰς τῶν ἀγγέλων θέλετε ἀναχωρήσαι ἔνθεν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen’s brothers said to him, “Let us leave this place; for the monasteries of this place trouble us, and we are losing our souls; look, even the children crying do not let us live in stillness.” Abba Poemen says to them, “You want to leave here because of the voices of angels?” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.155 (PG 65:359; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-155). ## Poemen 156 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-156 - Source: PG 65:359 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen gives steps for seeking reconciliation, ending by leaving it to God. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Βιτίμιος τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Ἐάν τις ἔχῃ πρὸς ἐμὲ λύπην, καὶ μετανοήσω αὐτῷ, καὶ μὴ πεισθῇ, τί ποιήσω; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Λάβε μετὰ σοῦ ἄλλους δύο ἀδελφοὺς, καὶ μετανόησον αὐτῷ. Καὶ ἐὰν μὴ πεισθῇ, λάβε ἄλλους πέντε. Ἐὰν δὲ καὶ τούτοις μὴ πεισθῇ, λάβε πρεσβύτερον. Ἐὰν δὲ καὶ οὕτως μὴ πεισθῇ, ἀταράχως λοιπὸν εἶξαι τῷ Θεῷ, ἵνα αὐτὸς πληροφορήσῃ αὐτὸν, καὶ ἀμεριμνήσῃς. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Bitimius asked abba Poemen, saying, “If someone has a grievance against me, and I make a prostration of apology to him, and he is not persuaded, what shall I do?” The old man says to him, “Take two other brothers with you and apologize to him. And if he is not persuaded, take five others. And if he is not persuaded by them either, take a presbyter. And if he is still not persuaded, then calmly leave it to God, that he may convince him, and be free of care.” ### Scripture references - Matt 18:16: echo, medium confidence ### Translation notes - A variant note is removed. Cf. Matt 18:15–17. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.156 (PG 65:359; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-156). ## Poemen 157 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-157 - Source: PG 65:359 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: To teach a neighbor is to rebuke him. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι Τὸ διδάξαι τὸν πλησίον, ὅμοιόν ἐστι τοῦ ἐλέγξαι. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “Teaching one’s neighbor is like rebuking him.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.157 (PG 65:359; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-157). ## Poemen 158 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-158 - Source: PG 65:359–361 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Humble yourself rather than do your will; live where you do not harm your brother. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Μὴ πληρώσῃς τὸ θέλημά σου, Ἀναγκαῖον δὲ ἐστι μᾶλλον ταπεινῶσαι ἑαυτὸν τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου. ρυθ'. Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Εὗρον τόπον ἔχοντα πᾶσαν ἀνάπαυσιν τῶν ἀδελφῶν· Θέλεις οἰκήσω ἐκεῖ; καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων· "Ὅπου οὐ βλάπτεις τὸν ἀδελφόν σου, ἐκεῖ μεῖνον. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Do not fulfill your own will; it is more necessary to humble yourself before your brother.” [159] A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “I have found a place that has every comfort for the brothers. Do you want me to live there?” And the old man said, “Where you do not harm your brother, stay there.” ### Translation notes - The scan runs Poemen 159 (numbered in the print) into this saying; marked [159]. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.158 (PG 65:359–361; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-158). ## Poemen 160 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-160 - Source: PG 65:361 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Fear God, pray, and do good to your neighbor. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Τὰ τρία ταῦτα κεφάλαιά ἐστι χρήσιμα· τὸ φοβεῖσθαι τὸν Κύριον, καὶ τὸ εὔξασθαι καὶ τὸ ποιῆσαι ἀγαθὸν τῷ πλησίον. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “These three chief things are useful: fearing the Lord, praying, and doing good to one’s neighbor.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.160 (PG 65:361; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-160). ## Poemen 161 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-161 - Source: PG 65:361 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The passions outlast the body like thorny roots. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς εἶπε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι· Τὸ σῶμά μου ἐξησθένησε, καὶ τὰ πάθη μου οὐκ ἐξασθενοῦσι. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἀκανθώδεις ῥουσίδες εἰσὶ τὰ πάθη. ### English translation (Claude) A brother said to abba Poemen, “My body has grown weak, and my passions do not grow weak.” The old man says to him, “The passions are thorny roots.” ### Translation notes - ῥουσίδες is uncertain (perhaps “roots” or “shrubs”). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.161 (PG 65:361; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-161). ## Poemen 162 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-162 - Source: PG 65:361 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Remembering one’s sins in the cell brings God’s help. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Τί ποιήσω; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ὅταν ὁ Θεὸς ἐπισκέπτηται ἡμᾶς, τίνος ἔχομεν φροντίσαι Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφός· Τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν. Λέγει οὖν ὁ γέρων· Εἰσέλθωμεν εἰς τὸ κελλίον ἡμῶν, καὶ καθίσαντες μνημονεύσωμεν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν, καὶ ὁ Κύριος συνέρχεται ἡμῖν ἐν πᾶσι. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “What shall I do?” The old man says to him, “When God visits us, what are we to care about?” The brother says to him, “Our sins.” So the old man says, “Let us go into our cell, and sitting down let us remember our sins, and the Lord will come to our help in everything.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.162 (PG 65:361; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-162). ## Poemen 163 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-163 - Source: PG 65:361 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Befriend the self-disciplined, and even market business goes peacefully. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ὑπάγων εἰς τὴν ἀγορὰν ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα· Τί θέλεις ποιήσω; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Γενοῦ φίλος τοῦ ἑαυτὸν βιαζομένου, καὶ μετὰ ἀναπαύσεως πωλεῖς τὰ σκεύη σου. ### English translation (Claude) A brother going to the market asked abba Poemen, “What do you want me to do?” The old man says to him, “Be a friend of the one who forces himself, and you will sell your goods in peace.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.163 (PG 65:361; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-163). ## Poemen 164 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-164 - Source: PG 65:361 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Let the mouth speak what the heart holds. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Δίδαξον τὸ στόμα σου λαλεῖν ἃ ἔχει ἡ καρδία σου. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “Teach your mouth to speak what your heart holds.” ### Translation notes - The same saying stands at 89.63. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.164 (PG 65:361; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-164). ## Poemen 165 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-165 - Source: PG 65:361 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Steady practice and watchfulness keep us free of defilement. ### Greek text Ἠρωτήθη ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν περὶ μολυσμῶν· καὶ ἀπεκρίθη, ὅτι Ἐὰν στήσωμεν τὸ πρακτικὸν καὶ νήψωμεν ἐπιμελῶς, οὐχ εὑρήσομεν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς μολυσμόν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen was asked about defilements; and he answered, “If we establish our practice and keep watch carefully, we shall find no defilement in ourselves.” ### Translation notes - The “defilements” are probably nocturnal emissions, a common topic in monastic counsel. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.165 (PG 65:361; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-165). ## Poemen 166 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-166 - Source: PG 65:361–363 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen laments the decline after Moses; then three sayings follow on keeping one’s order, living in the cell, and not pressing a debtor. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι ἀπὸ τρίτης γενεᾶς τῆς Σκήτεως, καὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μωϋσέως, οὐκ ἦλθον ἔτι οἱ ἀδελφοὶ εἰς προκοπήν. ρέζ'. Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἄνθρωπος ἐὰν τὴν τάξιν αὐτοῦ φυλάττῃ, οὐ ταράσσεται. ρξη΄. Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Πῶς δεῖ με καθίσαι ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ; Λέγει αὐτῷ· Τὸ ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ καθίσαι, τὸ φανερὸν, τοῦτό ἐστι τὸ ἐργόχειρον, καὶ τὸ μονοσιτίσαι καὶ τὸ σιωπᾶν, καὶ ἡ μελέτη· τὸ δὲ ἐν κρυπτῷ προκόπτειν εἰς τὸ κελλίον ἐστὶ, τὸ βασανίζειν τὴν ἑαυτοῦ μέμψιν ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ ὅπου ἐὰν ἀπέρχῃ, καὶ τῶν συνάξεων τὰς ὥρας καὶ τῶν κρυπτῶν μὴ ἀμελεῖν. Ἐὰν δὲ καὶ συμβῇ καιρὸν ἀργῆσαι τοῦ ἐργοχείρου σου, εἰσελθὼν εἰς τὴν σύναξιν ἀταράχως ἐπιτέλεσον. Τὸ δὲ τέλος τούτων, συνοδίαν καλὴν κτῆσαι, ἀπόσχου δὲ ἀπὸ κακῆς συνοδίας ρξθ'. 'Αδελφὸς ἡρωτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα· Ἑὰν ἀδελφὸς ἔχῃ μου μικρὰ νουμία, θέλεις αὐτὸν ἐρωτήσω; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἑρώτησον αὐτὸν ἅπαξ. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφός· Τί οὖν ποιήσω; οὐ γὰρ περιγίνομαι τοῦ λογισμοῦ μου. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἄφες τὸν λογισμόν σου λακκᾷν μόνον τὸν ἀδελφόν σου μὴ θλίψης. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said that from the third generation of Scetis and of abba Moses, the brothers no longer made progress. [167] He also said, “If a man keeps his order, he is not troubled.” [168] A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “How should I live in my cell?” He says to him, “Living in the cell, outwardly, is handiwork, eating once a day, silence, and meditation; but progressing in secret in the cell is to bear the blame of oneself in every place you go, and not to neglect the hours of the offices and the secret prayers. And if it happens that you have time free from your handiwork, go into the office and finish it calmly. And the end of all this is to acquire good company and keep away from bad company.” [169] A brother asked abba Poemen, “If a brother has a few coins of mine, do you want me to ask him for them?” The old man says to him, “Ask him once.” The brother says to him, “Then what shall I do? For I cannot overcome my thought.” The old man says to him, “Let your thought bark; only do not afflict your brother.” ### Translation notes - The scan runs Poemen 167–169 (numbered in the print) into this saying; marked [167]–[169]. λακκᾶν is taken as “bark” (or “clamor”). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.166 (PG 65:361–363; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-166). ## Poemen 170 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-170 - Source: PG 65:363 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen refuses meat at a meal lest the many brothers who follow him be scandalized. ### Greek text Συνέβη τινὰς τῶν Πατέρων παραβαλεῖν εἰς οἰκίαν φιλοχρίστου τινὸς, ἐν οἷς ἦν καὶ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· καὶ ἐν τῷ ἐσθίειν αὐτοὺς, παρετέθη κρέα· ἔφαγον δὲ πάντες χωρὶς τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος· καὶ ἐθαύμαζον οἱ γέροντες ὅτι οὐκ ἤσθιεν, εἰδότες τὴν διάκρισιν αὐτοῦ. Ὡς δὲ ἀνέστησαν, λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Σὺ εἶ Ποιμὴν, καὶ οὕτως ἐποίησας; Ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων· Συγχωρήσατέ μοι, Πατέρες· ὑμεῖς ἐφάγετε, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐσκανδαλίσθη· ἐγὼ δὲ εἰ ἔφαγον, ἐπειδὴ πολλοὶ ἀδελφοὶ ἔρχονται ἔγγιστά μου, εἶχον βλαβῆναι, λέγοντες· Ποιμὴν ἔφαγε κρέα, καὶ ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἐσθίομεν; Καὶ ἐθαύμασαν τὴν διάκρισιν αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) It happened that some of the Fathers visited the house of a Christ-loving man, and among them was abba Poemen; and as they ate, meat was served; and all ate except abba Poemen; and the old men marveled that he did not eat, knowing his discernment. When they got up, they say to him, “You are Poemen, and you acted like this?” The old man answered them, “Forgive me, Fathers; you ate, and no one was offended; but if I had eaten, since many brothers come near me, they would have been harmed, saying, ‘Poemen ate meat, and shall we not eat?’” And they marveled at his discernment. ### Scripture references - 1 Cor 8:13: echo, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Cf. 1 Cor 8:13. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.170 (PG 65:363; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-170). ## Poemen 171 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-171 - Source: PG 65:363 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen counts himself fit to be cast where Satan is cast. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Ἐγὼ λέγω, ὅτι εἰς τὸν τόπον ὅπου βάλλεται ὁ Σατανᾶς, ἐκεῖ βάλλομαι. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said, “I say that wherever Satan is thrown, there I am thrown.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.171 (PG 65:363; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-171). ## Poemen 172 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-172 - Source: PG 65:363 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Turn your eyes from vanity, for license destroys souls. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς εἶπε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀνούβ· Ἀπόστρεψον τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς σου τοῦ μὴ ἰδεῖν ματαιότητα· ἡ γὰρ ἐλευθερία ψυχὰς ἀναιρεῖ. ### English translation (Claude) The same said to abba Anoub, “Turn away your eyes from seeing vanity; for license destroys souls.” ### Scripture references - Ps 119:37 (118:37 LXX): quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Ps 119:37 (LXX 118:37). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.172 (PG 65:363; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-172). ## Poemen 173 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-173 - Source: PG 65:363 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen does not intervene when his brothers fight, saying they will make peace and he was as if absent. ### Greek text Ἐμαχήσατό ποτε Παΐζιος μετὰ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ, καθεζομένου τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος, μέχρις αἷμα ἐκ τῶν κεφαλῶν αὐτῶν καταῤῥυῆναι· καὶ οὐδὲν τὸ σύνολον ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων. Εἰσῆλθεν οὖν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀνούβ· καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτοὺς, λέγει τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι· Διατί ἀφῆκας τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς μαχομένους, μηδὲν λαλήσας αὐτοῖς; Λέγει ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Ἀδελφοί εἰσι, πάλιν εἰρηνεύουσι. Λέγει ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀνούβ· Τί ἐστι τοῦτο εἶδες ὅτι οὕτως ἐποίησαν, καὶ λέγεις· Πάλιν εἰρηνεύουσι; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· θὲς εἰς τὴν καρδίαν σου, ὅτι οὐκ ἤμην ὧδε ἔσω. ### English translation (Claude) Once Paësius fought with his brother, while abba Poemen was sitting there, until blood ran down from their heads; and the old man said nothing at all to them. Then abba Anoub came in; and seeing them, he says to abba Poemen, “Why did you let the brothers fight without saying anything to them?” Abba Poemen says, “They are brothers; they will make peace again.” Abba Anoub says, “What is this? You saw that they acted like this, and you say, ‘They will make peace again’?” Abba Poemen says to him, “Put it in your heart that I was not here inside.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.173 (PG 65:363; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-173). ## Poemen 174 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-174 - Source: PG 65:363 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Lead brothers by example, not by commands. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· 'Αδελφοὶ οἰκοῦσι μετ' ἐμοῦ· θέλεις κελεύσω αὐτοῖς; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Οὐχί· ἀλλὰ ποίησον πρῶτον τὸ ἔργον, καὶ ἐὰν θέλωσι ζῇν, ἑαυτοῖς βλέπουσι. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφός· Θέλουσι καὶ αὐτοὶ, Πάτερ, ἵνα κελεύσω αὐτοῖς. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Μή· ἀλλὰ γενοῦ αὐτοῖς τύπος, καὶ μὴ νομοθέτης. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “Brothers live with me; do you want me to give them orders?” The old man says to him, “No; but first do the work yourself, and if they want to live, they will see to themselves.” The brother says to him, “They themselves want me to give them orders, father.” The old man says to him, “No; but be an example to them, not a lawgiver.” ### Scripture references - 1 Pet 5:3: echo, medium confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.174 (PG 65:363; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-174). ## Poemen 176 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-176 - Source: PG 65:365 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A monk who keeps a boy with him despite passion is like a field eaten by worms. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἄνθρωπος ἔχων παιδίον συνοικοῦν, καὶ ἐνεργούμενος εἰς αὐτὸ εἰς οἷον δ᾽ ἂν πάθος τοῦ παλαιοῦ ἀνθρώπου, καὶ πάλιν κατέχει αὐτὸ μεθ' ἑαυτοῦ, ὅμοιός ἐστιν ὁ τοιοῦτος ἀνθρώπῳ ἔχοντι ἀγρὸν ὑπὸ σκωλήκων βιβρωσκόμενον. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “A man who has a boy living with him and is moved toward him by any passion of the old man, and still keeps him with him, is like a man whose field is eaten by worms.” ### Translation notes - The saying concerns sexual temptation toward a boy living with a monk; translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.176 (PG 65:365; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-176). ## Poemen 177 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-87/#p-89-177 - Source: PG 65:365 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Only good overcomes evil. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἡ πονηρία τὴν πονηρίαν οὐδαμῶς ἀναιρεῖ· ἀλλ' ἐάν τίς σε κακοποιήσῃ, εὐποίησον αὐτῷ, ἵνα διὰ τῆς ἀγαθοποιίας ἀνέλῃς τὴν πονηρίαν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Evil never destroys evil; but if someone does you harm, do him good, so that by doing good you may destroy the evil.” ### Scripture references - Rom 12:21: echo, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Cf. Rom 12:21. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.177 (PG 65:365; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-177). ## Poemen 178 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-89-178 - Source: PG 65:365 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Controlling throat and belly overcomes the devil as David seized the lion’s throat. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Δαβὶδ ὅτε μετὰ τοῦ λέοντος συνέβαλε, τοῦ λαρυγγίου αὐτοῦ κατέσχεν αὐτὸν, καὶ εὐθέως ἀπέκτεινεν αὐτόν. Ἐὰν οὖν καὶ ἡμεῖς κατάσχωμεν τοῦ λαρυγγίου καὶ τῆς κοιλίας ἑαυτῶν, νικῶμεν διὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ τὸν ἀόρατον λέοντα.. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “When David fought with the lion, he seized it by the throat and at once killed it. So if we too control our throat and our belly, we conquer the invisible lion through God.” ### Scripture references - 1 Sam 17:35: allusion, high confidence - 1 Pet 5:8: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - 1 Sam 17:35. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.178 (PG 65:365; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178). ## Poemen 179 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-89-179 - Source: PG 65:365 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Temptation shakes small and great; then (saying 180) Poemen returns to a troublesome younger brother who runs after them. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Τί ποιήσω, ὅτι ἔρχεταί μοι θλίψις, καὶ κινοῦμαι; Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων, ὅτι ἡ βία ποιεῖ καὶ τοὺς μικροὺς καὶ τοὺς μεγάλους κινηθῆναι. ρτ'. Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος, ὅτι ἐκάθητο εἰς Σκῆτιν μετὰ δύο ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ· καὶ ὁ μικρότερος ἔθλιβεν αὐτούς. Καὶ λέγει τῷ ἄλλῳ ἀδελφῷ· Παραλύει ἡμᾶς ὁ μικρότερος οὗτος· ἐγείρου, ἄγωμεν ἔνθεν. Καὶ ἐξελθόντες ἀφῆκαν αὐτόν. Ὡς οὖν εἶδεν ὅτι ἐχρόνισαν, εἶδεν αὐτοὺς μακρὰν ἀπέχοντας, καὶ ἤρξατο τρέχειν ὀπίσω αὐτῶν, κράζων. Λέγει ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Μείνωμεν τὸν ἀδελφὸν, ὅτι κοπιᾷ. Ὡς οὖν ἦλθε πρὸς αὐτοὺς, ἔβαλε μετάνοιαν, λέγων· Ποῦ ὑπάγετε, καὶ ἀφίετέ με μόνον; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ὅτι θλίβεις ἡμᾶς, διὰ τοῦτο ἡμεῖς ἀναχωροῦμεν. Λέγει αὐτοῖς Ναὶ, ναὶ, ὅπου θέλετε, ἄγωμεν ὁμοῦ. Καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ γέρων τὴν ἀκακίαν αὐτοῦ, λέγει τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ· Ἀναστρέψωμεν, ἀδελφέ· οὐ γὰρ θέλων ταῦτα ποιεῖ, ἀλλ᾽ ὁ διάβολός ἐστιν ὁ ταῦτα ποιῶν αὐτῷ. Καὶ ἀναστρέψαντες ἦλθον εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτῶν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “What shall I do, for affliction comes upon me and I am shaken?” And the old man said, “Force makes both small and great be shaken.” [180] They said of abba Poemen that he lived at Scetis with two of his brothers; and the younger troubled them. And he says to the other brother, “This younger one is wearing us out; get up, let us go from here.” And going out they left him. When he saw that they were long away, he saw them far off, and began to run after them, crying out. Abba Poemen says, “Let us wait for the brother, for he is tiring himself.” When he came to them, he made a prostration, saying, “Where are you going, leaving me alone?” The old man says to him, “Because you afflict us, that is why we are leaving.” He says to them, “Yes, yes, let us go together wherever you want.” And seeing his innocence, the old man says to his brother, “Let us go back, brother; for he does not do these things willingly, but it is the devil who does them to him.” And turning back, they came to their place. ### Translation notes - The scan runs Poemen 180 (ρπʹ) into this saying; marked [180]. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.179 (PG 65:365; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-179). ## Poemen 181 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-89-181 - Source: PG 65:365 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen says the fear of God cannot coexist with stored delicacies; and (saying 182) that people are judged in the state in which death finds them. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ἡγούμενος κοινοβίου τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Πῶς δύναμαι κτήσασθαι τὸν φόβον τοῦ Θεοῦ; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Πῶς δυνάμεθα κτήσασθαι φόβον Θεοῦ, ἔσωθεν ἔχοντες γαστρία τυρίων, καὶ κεράμια ταρίχων; ρπβ': Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, δύο ἄνθρωποι ἦσαν, εἷς μοναχὸς καὶ εἷς κοσμικός. Ὁ μοναχὸς ἐλογίσατο ὀψὲ ἵνα τὸ πρωΐ ῥίψῃ τὸ σχῆμα, καὶ ὁ κοσμικὸς ἐλογίσατο ἵνα γένηται μοναχός· ἀμφότεροι δὲ ἀπέθανον τῇ νυκτὶ ἐκείνῃ· τί ἄρα λογίζεται αὐτοῖς; Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων· Ὁ μοναχὸς ἀπέθανε μοναχὸς, καὶ ὁ κοσμικὸς ἀπέθανε κοσμικός· ἐν ᾧ γὰρ εὑρέθησαν, ἀπῆλθον. ### English translation (Claude) The superior of a community asked abba Poemen, saying, “How can I acquire the fear of God?” Abba Poemen says to him, “How can we acquire the fear of God, having inside jars of cheese and pots of salted fish?” [182] A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “Abba, there were two men, one a monk and one a layman. The monk decided in the evening to throw off the habit in the morning, and the layman decided to become a monk; and both died that night; how are they reckoned?” And the old man said, “The monk died a monk, and the layman died a layman; for they departed in the state in which they were found.” ### Translation notes - The scan runs Poemen 182 (ρπβʹ) into this saying; marked [182]. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.181 (PG 65:365; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-181). ## Poemen 183 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-89-183 - Source: PG 65:365–367 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen speaks Greek miraculously to Syrian visitors, comparing God’s word to water wearing away stone. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης ὅτι Παρεβάλομέν ποτε ἀπὸ Συρίας τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι, καὶ ἠθέλομεν αὐτὸν ἐρωτῆσαι περὶ τῆς σκληρότητος τῆς καρδίας. ὁ δὲ γέρων οὐκ ᾔδει Ἑλληνιστὶ, οὐδὲ ὁ ἑρμηνεὺς εὐκαίρησεν Ἰδὼν δὲ ἡμᾶς θλιβομένους ὁ γέρων, ἤρξατο λαλεῖν τῇ Ἑλληνίδι φωνῇ, λέγων· Ἡ φύσις τοῦ ὕδατος ἁπαλή ἐστιν, ἡ δὲ τοῦ λίθου σκληρά· τὸ δὲ βαυκάλιον ἐπάνω κρεμάμενον τοῦ λίθου, στάζον στάζον τιτρᾷ τὸν λίθον. Οὕτως καὶ ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ ἁπαλός ἐστιν, ἡ δὲ καρδία ἡμῶν σκληρά· ἀκούων δὲ ὁ ἄνθρωπος πολλάκις τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἀνοίγεται ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ τοῦ φοβεῖσθαι τὸν Θεόν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba John said, “Once we came from Syria to visit abba Poemen, and we wanted to ask him about hardness of heart. But the old man did not know Greek, nor was the interpreter at hand. Seeing us distressed, the old man began to speak in the Greek language, saying, ‘The nature of water is soft, and that of stone hard; but the jar hanging over the stone, dripping drop by drop, pierces the stone. So too the word of God is soft, and our heart hard; but a man who often hears the word of God has his heart opened to fear God.’” ### Translation notes - Some stray letters and words in the scan are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.183 (PG 65:365–367; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-183). ## Poemen 184 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-89-184 - Source: PG 65:367 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen says monks are to kill passions, not bodies. ### Greek text Παρέβαλεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰσαὰκ τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν βάλλοντα μικρὸν ὕδωρ εἰς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ ὡς ἔχων πρὸς αὐτὸν παῤῥησίαν, εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Πῶς τινες ἐχρήσαντο τῇ ἀποτομίᾳ σκληραγωγήσαντες τὸ σῶμα αὐτῶν; Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἐδιδάχθημεν σωματοκτόνοι, ἀλλὰ παθοκτόνοι. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Isaac visited abba Poemen and, seeing him pour a little water on his feet, said to him, since he had freedom with him, “How is it that some have practiced severity, treating their bodies harshly?” And abba Poemen says to him, “We were not taught to be killers of the body, but killers of the passions.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.184 (PG 65:367; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-184). ## Poemen 185 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-89-185 - Source: PG 65:367 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Food, clothing, and sleep cannot be cut off, only reduced. ### Greek text Εἶπεν πάλιν· Τὰ τραύματα οὐ δύναμαι κόψαι, τὴν βρῶσιν, τὸ ἔνδυμα, καὶ τὸν ὕπνον· ἀλλ᾽ ἐκ μέρους δυνάμεθα κόψαι. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “These three we cannot cut off: food, clothing, and sleep; but we can cut them off in part.” ### Translation notes - The scan reads “The wounds I cannot cut off”; translated by sense (“these three”). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.185 (PG 65:367; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-185). ## Poemen 186 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-89-186 - Source: PG 65:367 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Eat bread and few vegetables, and do not seek supplies from family. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ἀδελφὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων, ὅτι Πολλὰ λάχανα ἐσθίω. Ἔφη ὁ γέρων· Οὐ συμφέρει σοι· ἀλλὰ φάγε τὸν ἄρτον σου, καὶ μικρὰ λάχανα, καὶ μὴ ἀπέλθῃς εἰς τὰ πατρικά σου ἕνεκεν χρειῶν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Poemen, saying, “I eat many vegetables.” The old man said, “It is not good for you; but eat your bread and a few vegetables, and do not go to your family home for your needs.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.186 (PG 65:367; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-186). ## Poemen 187 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-89-187 - Source: PG 65:367 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen says Sisoes’ greatness cannot be told. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος, ὅτι εἰ ἐκάθηντό τινες γέροντες ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐλάλουν περὶ γερόντων, καὶ εἰ ὠνόμαζον τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην, ἔλεγεν· Ἄφετε τὰ περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σισόη· οὐ γὰρ ἔρχεται εἰς μέτρον διηγήματος τὰ περὶ αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Poemen that if some old men were sitting before him talking about old men, and they named abba Sisoes, he would say, “Leave aside what concerns abba Sisoes; for what concerns him is beyond the measure of telling.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 89.187 (PG 65:367; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-187). ## Pambo 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-90-1 - Source: PG 65:367 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pambo prayed not to be glorified, and God made his face too glorious to look at. ### Greek text Ἦν τις λεγόμενος ἀββᾶς Παμβὼ, καὶ περὶ τούτου λέγεται, ὅτι τρία ἔτη ἔμεινεν αἰτούμενος τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ λέγων· Μὴ δοξάσῃς με ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. Καὶ οὕτως ἐδόξασεν αὐτὸν ὁ Θεὸς, ὥστε μὴ δύνασθαί τινα ἀτενίσαι εἰς τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ, ἐκ τῆς δόξης ἧς εἶχεν τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) There was one called abba Pambo, and it is said of him that he spent three years asking God, saying, “Do not glorify me on earth.” And God so glorified him that no one could look steadily at his face because of the glory his face had. ### Scripture references - Exod 34:30: echo, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Cf. Exod 34:29–30. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 90.1 (PG 65:367; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/90-1). ## Pambo 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-90-2 - Source: PG 65:367–369 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pambo tells two brothers that fasting and almsgiving do not make a monk; a clear conscience toward one’s neighbor saves. ### Greek text Ἦλθόν ποτε ἀδελφοὶ πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Παμβὼ, καὶ ἠρώτησεν αὐτὸν ὁ εἷς, λέγων· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, ἐγὼ δύο δύο νηστεύω, καὶ ζεύγος ψωμίων ἐσθίω· ἆρα σώζω τὴν ψυχήν μου, ἢ πλανῶμαι; Εἶπεν δὲ καὶ ἄλλος Ἀββᾶ, ἐγὼ καταλύω ἐκ τοῦ ἐργοχείρου μου δύο κεράτια καθ' ἡμέραν, καὶ κρατῶ μικρὰ διὰ τὴν τροφὴν, τὰ δὲ ἄλλα εἰς ἀγάπην δίδωμι· ἆρα σώζομαι ή ἀπόλωμαι; Πολλὰ δὲ παρακαλούντων αὐτῶν, οὐκ ἔδωκεν ἀπόκρισιν. Μετὰ δὲ τέσσαρας ἡμέρας ἔχουσιν ἀναχωρῆσαι, καὶ παρεκάλουν αὐτοὺς οἱ κληρικοὶ, λέγοντες· Μὴ θλιβῆτε, ἀδελφοί· ὁ Θεὸς παρέχει ὑμῖν τὸν μισθόν· οὕτως ἐστὶν ἡ συνήθεια τοῦ γέροντος· οὐ ταχέως λαλεῖ, ἐὰν μὴ πληροφορήσῃ αὐτὸν ὁ Θεός. Εἰσῆλθον οὖν πρὸς τὸν γέροντα, καὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, εἶξαι ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν. Λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ἀπελθεῖν θέλετε; Λέγουσι· Ναί. Καὶ ἀναλαβὼν τὰς πράξεις αὐτῶν ἐν ἑαυτῷ, γράφων ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, ἔλεγεν· Παμβὼ δύο δύο νηστεύων, καὶ ζεύγος ἐσθίων ψωμίων· λουσιν. ἆρα ἐν τούτῳ γίνεται μοναχός; Οὐχί. Καὶ Παμβὼ ἐργάζεται δύο κερατίων καὶ δίδωσιν αὐτὸ ἀγάπην ἆρα ἐν τούτῳ γίνεται μοναχός; οὔπω. Εἶπεν δὲ καὶ αὐτοῖς· Καλαὶ μὲν αἱ πράξεις· ἐὰν δὲ φυλάξῃς τὴν συνείδησιν ἀπὸ τοῦ πλησίον σου, οὕτως σώζῃ. Καl πληροφορηθέντες ἀπῆλθον μετὰ χαρᾶς. ### English translation (Claude) Once brothers came to abba Pambo, and one of them asked him, saying, “Abba, I fast two days at a time and eat a pair of loaves; am I saving my soul, or am I in error?” And another said, “Abba, I earn two carats a day from my handiwork, and I keep a little for food and give the rest as alms; am I saved or lost?” Though they begged him much, he gave no answer. After four days they were about to leave, and the clergy comforted them, saying, “Do not be distressed, brothers; God gives you the reward; this is the old man’s custom: he does not speak readily unless God assures him.” So they went in to the old man and said to him, “Abba, pray for us.” He says to them, “Do you want to go?” They say, “Yes.” And taking their practices into himself, writing on the ground, he said, “Pambo fasts two days at a time and eats a pair of loaves; does he become a monk by this? No. And Pambo earns two carats and gives it as alms; does he become a monk by this? Not yet.” And he said to them, “The practices are good; but if you guard your conscience toward your neighbor, so you will be saved.” And assured, they went away with joy. ### Translation notes - A stray word is passed over. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 90.2 (PG 65:367–369; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/90-2). ## Pambo 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-90-3 - Source: PG 65:369 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pambo ranks obedience above fasting, poverty, and charity, since it renounces one’s own will. ### Greek text Παρέβαλόν ποτε τέσσαρες Σκητιῶται τῷ μεγάλῳ Παμβώ, φοροῦντες δέρματα, καὶ ἀνήγγειλεν ἕκαστος τὴν ἀρετὴν τοῦ ἑταίρου αὐτοῦ Ὁ μὲν εἰς ἐνήστευεν πολλά· ὁ δεύτερος ἀκτήμων ἦν· καὶ ὁ τρίτος ἐκτήσατο πολλὴν ἀγάπην· λέγουσι καὶ περὶ τοῦ τετάρτου, ὅτι εἴκοσι δύο ἔτη ἔχει ἐν ὑπακοῇ γέροντος. Ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς ὁ ἀββᾶς Παμβώ· Λέγω ὑμῖν, ἡ ἀρετὴ τούτου μείζων ἐστίν. Ἕκαστος γὰρ ὑμῶν ἣν ἀρετὴν ἐκτήσατο, θελήματι αὐτοῦ ἐκράτησεν· οὗτος δὲ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ κόψας, ἄλλου ποιεῖ θέλημα. Τοιοῦτοι γὰρ ἄνδρες, ὁμολογηταί εἰσιν, ἐὰν εἰς τὸ τέλος φυλάξωσιν. ### English translation (Claude) Once four monks of Scetis, wearing skins, visited the great Pambo, and each told the virtue of his companion. One fasted much; the second possessed nothing; and the third had acquired great love; and they say of the fourth that he had been twenty-two years in obedience to an old man. Abba Pambo answered them, “I tell you, this one’s virtue is greater. For each of you has held to the virtue he acquired by his own will; but this one has cut off his will and does another’s. Such men are confessors, if they keep it to the end.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 90.3 (PG 65:369; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/90-3). ## Pambo 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-90-4 - Source: PG 65:369 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pambo weeps at an actress, both for her soul and for his lesser zeal to please God. ### Greek text Ὁσίας μνήμης Ἀθανάσιος ὁ ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀλεξανδρείας παρεκάλεσεν τὸν ἀββᾶν Παμβὼ κατελθεῖν ἐκ τῆς ἐρήμου ἐπὶ τὴν Ἀλεξάνδρειαν. Κατελθὼν δὲ, καὶ ἰδὼν ἐκεῖ γυναῖκα θεατρικὴν, σύνδακρυς ἐγένετο. Τῶν δὲ συνόντων πυθομένων, διατί ἐδάκρυσεν· Δύο με, ἔφη, κεκίνηκεν· ἓν μὲν, ἡ ἐκείνης ἀπώλεια· ἕτερον δὲ, ὅτι οὐ τοιαύτην σπουδὴν ἔχω πρὸς τὸ ἀρέσαι τῷ Θεῷ, ὅσον αὕτη ἵνα ἀρέσῃ ἀνθρώποις αἰσχροῖς. ### English translation (Claude) Athanasius of holy memory, archbishop of Alexandria, asked abba Pambo to come down from the desert to Alexandria. Coming down, and seeing there an actress, he burst into tears. When those with him asked why he wept, he said, “Two things moved me: one, her perdition; the other, that I do not have such zeal to please God as she has to please shameful men.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 90.4 (PG 65:369; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/90-4). ## Pambo 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-90-5 - Source: PG 65:369 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pambo never regretted a word he spoke as a monk. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Παμβὼ, ὅτι Διὰ τὸν Θεὸν, ἀφ᾿ οὗ ἀπεταξάμην, οὐ μετεμελήθην ἐπὶ λόγῳ ᾧ ἐλάλησα. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Pambo said, “By God, since I renounced the world I have not regretted any word I have spoken.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 90.5 (PG 65:369; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/90-5). ## Pambo 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-90-6 - Source: PG 65:369 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A monk’s garment should be too poor for anyone to steal. ### Greek text Εἶπεν πάλιν, ὅτι τοιοῦτον ὁ μοναχὸς ὀφείλει φορεῖν ἱμάτιον, ὥστε βάλλειν αὐτὸ ἔξω τοῦ κελλίου αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τρεῖς ἡμέρας, καὶ μηδεὶς λάβῃ αὐτό. ### English translation (Claude) He also said that a monk ought to wear such a garment that he could throw it outside his cell for three days and no one would take it. ### Translation notes - The same saying is quoted under Isaac (47.12). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 90.6 (PG 65:369; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/90-6). ## Pambo 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-90-7 - Source: PG 65:369 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pambo tells laymen to greet monks for a blessing, for their mouths are holy. ### Greek text Ἐγένετό ποτε τὸν ἀββᾶν Παμβὼ ὁδεύειν μετὰ ἀδελφῶν εἰς τὰ μέρη τῆς Αἰγύπτου· καὶ ἰδὼν κοσμικοὺς καθημένους, λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ἀναστάντες ἀσπάσασθε τοὺς μοναχοὺς, ἵνα εὐλογηθῆτε· συνεχῶς γὰρ τῷ Θεῷ λαλοῦσι, καὶ τὰ στόματα αὐτῶν ἅγιὰ ἐστιν. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Pambo happened to be traveling with brothers in the region of Egypt; and seeing some laymen sitting, he says to them, “Get up and greet the monks, so that you may be blessed; for they speak with God continually, and their mouths are holy.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 90.7 (PG 65:369; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/90-7). ## Pambo 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-90-8 - Source: PG 65:369 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Dying, Pambo says he lived by his own labor and regretted no word, yet goes to God as one who has not begun. ### Greek text Διηγήσαντο περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Παμβὼ, ὅτι τελευτῶν, κατ᾿ αὐτὴν τὴν ὥραν τοῦ θανάτου, εἶπεν τοῖς παρεστῶσιν αὐτῷ ἁγίοις ἀνδράσιν, ὅτι ἐφ᾽ οὗ ἦλθον εἰς τὸν τόπον τοῦτον τῆς ἐρήμου, καὶ ᾠκοδόμησά μου τὴν κέλλαν, καὶ οἴκησα ἐν αὐτῇ, ἐκτὸς τῶν χειρῶν μου οὐ μέμνημαι ἄρτον φαγὼν, οὐδὲ˙ μεταμεμέλημαι ἐπὶ λόγῳ ᾧ ἐλάλησα, ἕως τῆς ἄρτι ὥρας. Καὶ οὕτως ἀπέρχομαι πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, ὡς μηδὲ ἀρξάμενος Θεῷ δουλεύειν. ### English translation (Claude) They related of abba Pambo that when he was dying, at the very hour of his death, he said to the holy men standing by him, “Since I came to this place in the desert, built my cell, and lived in it, I do not remember eating bread that was not from my own hands, nor have I regretted any word I spoke, up to this hour. And so I go to God as one who has not yet begun to serve God.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 90.8 (PG 65:369; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/90-8). ## Pambo 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-90-9 - Source: PG 65:369–371 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pambo would not readily explain Scripture, professing ignorance. ### Greek text Τοῦτο δὲ εἶχεν ὑπὲρ πολλοὺς, ὅτι εἰ ἠρωτήθη λόγον γραφικὸν ἢ πνευματικὸν, οὐκ ἀπεκρίνατο εὐθὺς, ἀλλ᾽ ἔλεγεν μὴ εἰδέναι τὸν λόγον· καὶ ἐπ[ερωτηθεὶς] πλεῖον, οὐκ ἐδίδου ἀπόκρισιν. ### English translation (Claude) This he had beyond many: that if he was asked about a passage of Scripture or a spiritual matter, he did not answer at once, but said he did not know the saying; and if [asked] further, he gave no answer. ### Translation notes - The bracketed word is supplied by the editor in square brackets in the print. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 90.9 (PG 65:369–371; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/90-9). ## Pambo 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-90-10 - Source: PG 65:371 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: One with a heart can be saved. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Παμβώ· Εἰ ἔχεις καρδίαν δύνασαι σωθῆναι. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Pambo said, “If you have a heart, you can be saved.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 90.10 (PG 65:371; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/90-10). ## Pambo 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-90-11 - Source: PG 65:371 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Monks should live in great asceticism with a clear conscience toward their neighbor. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ὁ πρεσβύτερος τῆς Νιτρείας, ὅπως ὀφείλουσιν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ διάγειν. Οἱ δὲ εἶπαν· Ἐν μεγάλῃ ἀσκήσει, καὶ τηροῦντες τὴν συνείδησιν ἀπὸ τοῦ πλησίον. ### English translation (Claude) The presbyter of Nitria asked how the brothers ought to live. They said, “In great asceticism, and keeping their conscience clear toward their neighbor.” ### Translation notes - The question appears to be put to Pambo; the plural answer is as printed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 90.11 (PG 65:371; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/90-11). ## Pambo 12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-90-12 - Source: PG 65:371 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pambo’s face shone like Moses’ with Adam’s lost glory. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Παμβὼ, ὅτι ὡς ἔλαβε Μωϋσῆς τὴν εἰκόνα τῆς δόξης Ἀδάμ, ὅτε ἐδοξάσθη τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ· οὕτως καὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Παμβὼ ὡς ἀστραπὴ ἔλαμπε τὸ πρόσωπον, καὶ ἦν ὡς βασιλεὺς καθήμενος ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου αὐτοῦ. Τῆς αὐτῆς ἐργασίας ἦν καὶ ὁ ἀββᾶς Σιλουανὸς, καὶ ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Pambo that as Moses received the image of Adam’s glory when his face was glorified, so too abba Pambo’s face shone like lightning, and he was like a king sitting on his throne. Of the same working were abba Silvanus and abba Sisoes. ### Scripture references - Exod 34:29: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Exod 34:29–35. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 90.12 (PG 65:371; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/90-12). ## Pambo 13 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-90-13 - Source: PG 65:371 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pambo laughs at demons straining to carry a feather, mocking their weakness. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Παμβὼ, ὅτι οὐδέποτε ἐμειδία τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ. Μιᾶς οὖν τῶν ἡμερῶν θέλοντες οἱ δαίμονες ποιῆσαι αὐτὸν γελάσαι, ἔδησαν εἰς ξύλον πτερὸν, καὶ ἐβάσταζον, θόρυβον ποιοῦντες, καὶ λέγοντες· Ἀλλὴ, ἀλλή Ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτοὺς ὁ ἀββᾶς Παμβὼ ἐγέλασεν. Οἱ δὲ δαίμονες ἤρξαντο χορεύειν, λέγοντες· Οὐὰ, οὐὰ, Παμβὼ γεγέλακεν· ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Οὐκ ἐγέλασα, ἀλλὰ κατεγέλασα τὴν ἀδυναμίαν ὑμῶν, ὅτι τοσοῦτοι τὸ πτερὸν βαστάζετε. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Pambo that his face never smiled. So one day the demons, wanting to make him laugh, tied a feather to a beam and carried it, making a commotion and shouting, “Heave, heave!” Seeing them, abba Pambo laughed. And the demons began to dance, saying, “Wa, wa, Pambo has laughed!” But he answered them, “I did not laugh, but I laughed at your weakness, that so many of you carry a feather.” ### Translation notes - The demons’ cry (Ἀλλή, ἀλλή) is a work-chant, translated “Heave, heave.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 90.13 (PG 65:371; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/90-13). ## Pambo 14 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-90-14 - Source: PG 65:371 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pambo tells Theodore that mercy gives boldness before God. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Θεόδωρος ὁ τῆς Φερμης τὸν ἀββᾶν Παμβώ· Εἰπέ μοι ῥῆμα. Καὶ μετὰ πολλοῦ κόπου εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Θεόδωρε, ὕπαγε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἔχε ἐπὶ πάντας· τὸ γὰρ ἔλεος εὗρεν παῤῥησίαν ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Theodore of Pherme asked abba Pambo, “Tell me a word.” And with great difficulty he said to him, “Theodore, go, have mercy on everyone; for mercy has found freedom of speech before God.” ### Scripture references - Jas 2:13: echo, medium confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 90.14 (PG 65:371; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/90-14). ## Pistus 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-91-1 - Source: PG 65:371–373 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes tells of the obedience of Athre and the humility of Hor, and defines exile as silence and detachment. ### Greek text Διηγήσατο ὁ ἀββᾶς Πιστὸς, λέγων, ὅτι Ἀπήλθομεν ἑπτὰ ἀναχωρηταὶ πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην οἰκοῦντα ἐν τῷ Κλύσματι παρακαλοῦντες αὐτὸν εἰπεῖν ἡμῖν λόγον. Καὶ εἶπε· Συγχωρήσατέ μοι, ἰδιώτης ἄνθρωπός εἰμι· ἀλλὰ παρέβαλον πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ὥρ, καὶ τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀθρέ· ἦν δὲ ἐν ἀσθενείᾳ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ὢρ δέκα καὶ ὀκτὼ ἔτη· καὶ ἔβαλον αὐτοῖς μετάνοιαν, εἰπεῖν μοι λόγον. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ὥρ· Τί ἔχω εἰπεῖν σοι; ἄπελθε, καὶ ὃ βλέπεις ποίησον. Ὁ Θεὸς ἐκείνου ἐστὶ, τοῦ πλεονεκτοῦντος, ἤτοι βιαζομένου- ἑαυτὸν εἰς πάντα. Οὐκ ἦσαν δὲ ἀπὸ μιᾶς ἐνορίας ὁ ἀββᾶς Ὥρ, καὶ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀθρέ· ἐγένετο δὲ μεγάλη εἰρήνη μεταξὺ αὐτῶν, ἕως ἐξῆλθον ἀπὸ τοῦ σώματος. Ἦν γὰρ μεγάλη ἡ ὑπακοὴ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀθρὲ, καὶ πολλὴ ἡ ταπεινοφροσύνη τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ὥρ. Ἐποίησα δὲ μικρὰς ἡμέρας πρὸς αὐτοὺς, ἀνιχνεύων αὐτούς· καὶ εἶδον μέγα θαῦμα ὁ ἐποίησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀθρέ. Ἤνεγκεν αὐτοῖς τις μικρὸν ὀψάριον, καὶ ἡβουλήθη αὐτὸ ποιῆσαι ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀθρὲ τῷ γέροντι· εἶχε δὲ τὴν μάχαιραν κόπτων τὸ ὀψάριον· καὶ ἐκάλεσεν αὐτὸν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ωρ· Ἀθρὲ, Ἀθρέ· καὶ ἀφῆκε τὴν μάχαιραν μέσον τοῦ ὀψαρίου, καὶ οὐκ ἔκοψε τὸ ἐπίλοιπον. Καὶ ἐθαύμασα τὴν μεγάλην ὑπακοὴν αὐτοῦ, διότι οὐκ εἶπε· Μακροθύμησον ἕως κόψω τὸ ὀψάριον. Εἶπον δὲ τῷ ἀββᾷ Ἀθρέ· Ποῦ εὗρες τὴν ὑπακοὴν ταύτην; Καὶ εἶπέ μοι· Οὐκ ἔστιν ἐμὴ, ἀλλὰ τοῦ γέροντός ἐστι. Καὶ ἔλαβέ με λέγων· Δεῦρο, βλέπε τὴν ὑπακοὴν αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ἥψησε τὸ τὸ ὀψάριον, καὶ ἡφάνισεν αὐτὸ θέλων, καὶ παρέθηκε τῷ γέροντι. Καὶ ἔφαγε μηδὲν λαλήσας. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Καλόν ἐστι, γέρον; Καὶ ἀπεκρίθη· Καλόν ἐστι πάνυ. Μετὰ ταῦτα ἤνεγκεν αὐτῷ μικρὸν καλὸν σφόδρα, καὶ εἶπεν· Ἠφάνισα αὐτὸ, γέρον. Καὶ ἀπεκρίθη, λέγων· Ναὶ, ἡφάνισας αὐτὸ μικρόν. Καὶ εἶπέ μοι ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀθρέ· Εἶδες ὅτι ἡ ὑπακοὴ τοῦ γέροντός ἐστι; Καὶ ἐξῆλθον ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν, καὶ εἴ τι εἶδον, ἐποίησα τὴν δύναμίν μου φυλάξαι Ταῦτα εἶπε τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης. Εἷς δὲ ἐξ ἡμῶν παρεκάλεσεν αὐτὸν, λέγων· Ποίησον ἀγάπην, εἰπὲ ἡμῖν καὶ αὐτὸς ἕνα λόγον. Καὶ εἶπεν· Ὁ κατέχων τὸ ἀψήφιστον ἐν γνώσει, ἐπιτελεῖ πᾶσαν τὴν Γραφήν. Πάλιν ἕτερος ἐξ ἡμῶν εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Τί ἐστι ξενιτεία Πάτερ; Καὶ εἶπε· Σιώπα, καὶ εἰπέ· Οὐκ ἔχω πρᾶγμα, ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ ὅπου ἐὰν ἀπέρχῃ· καὶ αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ ξενιτεία. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Pistus related: “Seven of us anchorites went to abba Sisoes, who lived at Clysma, begging him to tell us a word. And he said, ‘Forgive me, I am an unlearned man; but I visited abba Hor and abba Athre (abba Hor had been ill for eighteen years), and I made a prostration to them, asking them to tell me a word. And abba Hor said, “What have I to tell you? Go, and do what you see. God belongs to the one who outdoes himself, that is, who forces himself in everything.” Abba Hor and abba Athre were not from the same district, but there was great peace between them until they left the body. For great was abba Athre’s obedience, and much was abba Hor’s humility. I spent a few days with them, observing them; and I saw a great wonder that abba Athre did. Someone brought them a small fish, and abba Athre wanted to cook it for the old man; he had the knife and was cutting the fish; and abba Hor called him, “Athre, Athre”; and he left the knife in the middle of the fish and did not cut the rest. And I marveled at his great obedience, because he did not say, “Wait until I cut the fish.” I said to abba Athre, “Where did you find this obedience?” And he said to me, “It is not mine, but the old man’s.” And he took me, saying, “Come, see his obedience.” And he cooked the fish and spoiled it on purpose, and set it before the old man. And he ate, saying nothing. And he said to him, “Is it good, old man?” And he answered, “It is very good.” Afterward he brought him a little that was very good, and said, “I spoiled it, old man.” And he answered, “Yes, you spoiled it a little.” And abba Athre said to me, “Do you see that obedience belongs to the old man?” And I left them, and whatever I saw I did my best to keep.’ Abba Sisoes told the brothers these things. One of us begged him, saying, ‘Do us a kindness and tell us a word yourself too.’ And he said, ‘Whoever holds to taking no account of himself, with knowledge, fulfills the whole Scripture.’ Again another of us said to him, ‘What is exile, father?’ And he said, ‘Keep silent, and say, “It is not my affair,” in every place you go; and this is exile.’” ### Translation notes - Abba Hor’s call (“Athre, Athre”), displaced in the scan into the next sentence along with a running head, is put back in its place. τὸ ἀψήφιστον (“taking no account of oneself”) is uncertain. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 91.1 (PG 65:371–373; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/91-1). ## Pior 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-92-1 - Source: PG 65:373 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pior works three harvests unpaid; when the employer is struck by God and repays him, Pior gives the money to the church. ### Greek text Ὁ μακάριος Πίωρ ἐργασάμενος εἰς τὸ θέρος παρά τινι, ὑπεμίμνησκε λαβεῖν τὸν μισθόν· τοῦ δὲ ὑπερθεμένου, εἰς τὴν μονὴν ἐπανῆλθε. Πάλιν τοῦ καιροῦ καλέσαντος, θερίσας παρ᾿ αὐτῷ, καὶ μετὰ προθυμίας ἐργασάμενος, οὐδὲν ἐκείνου παρασχόντος, ἐπανῆλθεν εἰς τὴν μονὴν αὐτοῦ. Τοῦ δὲ τρίτου συμπληρωθέντος ἔτους, τὴν συνήθη ἐργασίαν τελέσας ὁ γέρων, ἀνεχώρησε μηδὲν εἰληφώς. Καὶ τοῦ Κυρίου ἐτάσαντος τὸν ἐκείνου οἶκον, ἐπιφερόμενος τὸν μισθὸν, εἰς τὰ μοναστήρια περιῆγε ζητῶν τὸν ἅγιον. Καὶ μόλις εὑρὼν αὐτὸν, προσέπεσε τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἀποδιδοὺς ἔφασκεν, ὅτι Ἐμοὶ ὁ Κύριος ἀπέδωκεν. Ὁ δὲ ἐπέτρεψεν αὐτῷ παρασχεῖν αὐτὰ εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν τῷ πρεσβυτέρῳ. ### English translation (Claude) Blessed Pior, having worked in the harvest for someone, reminded him to pay his wages; but when he put it off, he returned to the monastery. Again, when the season came, he reaped for him and worked eagerly, and when the man gave him nothing, he returned to his monastery. When the third year was completed, the old man did his usual work and went away having received nothing. And when the Lord visited that man’s house, he went around the monasteries bringing the wages and looking for the saint. And having found him with difficulty, he fell at his feet; and giving it back he said, “The Lord has repaid me.” But he told him to give it to the presbyter for the church. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 92.1 (PG 65:373; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/92-1). ## Pior 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-92-2 - Source: PG 65:373 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pior ate walking so as to treat food as incidental and feel no pleasure in it. ### Greek text Ὁ ἀββᾶς Πίωρ περιπατῶν ἤσθιε. Πυθομένου δὲ τινος, Διατί οὕτως ἐσθίεις; Οὐ βούλομαι, ἔφη, ὡς ἔργῳ τῷ βρώματι χρήσασθαι, ἀλλ᾽ ὡς παρέργῳ. Πρὸς ἕτερον δὲ περὶ τούτου ἐρωτήσαντα ἀπεκρίνατο· μηδὲ ἐν τῷ ἐσθίειν, φησὶν, ἡδονῆς σωματικῆς αἰσθάνηται ἡ ψυχή μου. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Pior ate while walking. When someone asked, “Why do you eat like this?”, he said, “I do not want to treat food as a work, but as a side matter.” To another who asked about this he answered, “So that my soul may not perceive bodily pleasure even in eating.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 92.2 (PG 65:373; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/92-2). ## Pior 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-92-3 - Source: PG 65:373–375 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pior carries his own sins behind him in a sack and his brother’s few in front to rebuke a council for judging. ### Greek text Ἐγένετό ποτε συνέδριον ἐν Σκήτει περὶ σφαλέντος ἀδελφοῦ· καὶ ἐλάλουν οἱ Πατέρες ὁ δὲ ἀββᾶς Πίωρ ἐσιώπα ὕστερον δὲ ἀναστὰς ἐξῆλθε, καὶ λαβὼν σάκκον, ἐπλήρωσε ψάμμου, καὶ ἐβάστασεν εἰς τὸν ὦμον αὐτοῦ· καὶ λαβὼν εἰς μαλάκιν μικρὸν τῆς ψάμμου, ἐβάστασεν ἔμπροσθεν. Ἐπερωτηθεὶς δὲ ὑπὸ τῶν Πατέρων, τί ἂν εἴη τοῦτο, λέγει· Οὗτος ὁ σάκκος ὁ ἔχων τὴν πολλὴν ψάμμον τὰ ἐμὰ ἐστι πλημμελήματα, ὅτι πολλά ἐστι· καὶ ἀφῆκα αὐτὰ ὀπίσω μου. τοῦ μὴ πονῆσαι περὶ αὐτῶν καὶ κλαῦσαι· καὶ ἰδοὺ ταῦτα τὰ μικρὰ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ μου ἔμπροσθέν μού εἰσι, καὶ εἰς αὐτὰ ἀδολεσχῶ κρίνων αὐτόν. Οὐ χρὴ δὲ οὕτως ποιεῖν, ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον τὰ ἐμὰ ἔμπροσθέν μου ἐνεγκεῖν, καὶ αὐτῶν φροντίσαι, καὶ παρακαλεῖν τὸν Θεὸν συγχωρῆσαί μοι. Καὶ ἀναστάντες οἱ Πατέρες εἶπον· Ὄντως αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ ὁδὸς τῆς σωτηρίας. ### English translation (Claude) Once a council was held at Scetis about a brother who had sinned; and the Fathers spoke, but abba Pior kept silent. Afterward he got up and went out, and taking a sack he filled it with sand and carried it on his shoulder; and taking a little sand in a small basket, he carried it in front. When the Fathers asked him what this might be, he says, “This sack with much sand is my sins, for they are many; and I have left them behind me, so as not to grieve and weep over them; and look, these little sins of my brother are in front of me, and I spend my words on them, judging him. One ought not to do so, but rather to bring my own in front of me, and take care of them, and beg God to forgive me.” And the Fathers got up and said, “Truly this is the way of salvation.” ### Scripture references - Matt 7:3: echo, medium confidence ### Translation notes - A displaced fragment of the end of the Sisoes passage (91.1, on exile) and a variant note are removed. Cf. Matt 7:3. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 92.3 (PG 65:373–375; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/92-3). ## Pityrion 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-93-1 - Source: PG 65:375 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Mastering a passion drives out the demon that accompanies it. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Πιτυρίων ὁ μαθητὴς τοῦ ἀββᾶ Αντωνίου, ὅτι ὁ βουλόμενος ἀπελαύνειν δαίμονας πρότερον τὰ πάθη δουλώσεται· οἴου γὰρ ἂν πάθους περιγένηταί τις, τούτου καὶ τὸν δαίμονα ἀπελαύνει. Ἔπεται, φησὶ, δαίμων τῇ ὀργῇ ἐὰν τῆς ὀργῆς κρατήσῃς, ἀπελήλαται ταύτης ὁ δαίμων. Ὁμοίως καὶ περὶ ἑκάστου πάθους. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Pityrion, the disciple of abba Antony, said that one who wants to drive out demons must first enslave the passions; for whatever passion someone masters, he drives out its demon too. “A demon,” he says, “follows anger; if you master anger, its demon is driven out.” And likewise with each passion. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 93.1 (PG 65:375; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/93-1). ## Pistamon 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-94-1 - Source: PG 65:375 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pistamon counsels selling without haggling and keeping up handiwork calmly even if not needed. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησέ τις ἀδελφὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Πιστάμωνα, λέγων· Τί ποιήσω, ὅτι θλίβομαι εἰς τὸ πωλῆσαι τὸ ἐργόχειρόν μου; Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ γέρων, εἶπεν, ὅτι Καὶ ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης καὶ οἱ λοιποὶ ἐπώλουν τὸ ἐργόχειρον αὐτῶν· τοῦτο οὐκ ἔστι βλάβος· ἀλλ᾿ ὅταν πωλῆς, εἰπὲ ἅπαξ τὴν τιμὴν τοῦ σκεύους· λοιπὸν ἐὰν θέλῃς μικρὸν ἀφῆσαι τῆς τιμῆς, ἐν σοί ἐστιν. Οὕτω ἂν εὑρήσεις ἀνάπαυσιν. Πάλιν εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφός· Ἐὰν ἔχω τὴν χρείαν μου ὅθεν δήποτε, θέλεις ἵνα φροντίσω ἐργόχειρον Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ γέρων εἶπεν· Ἐὰν ἔχῃς ὅσον δήποτε, μὴ καταλείψῃς τὸ ἐργόχειρόν σου· ὅσον δύνασαι ποίησον, μόνον μὴ μετὰ ταραχῆς. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Pistamon, saying, “What shall I do, for I am troubled about selling my handiwork?” And the old man answered, “Abba Sisoes and the others sold their handiwork too; this is no harm; but when you sell, state the price of the article once; then if you want to take a little off the price, that is up to you. In this way you will find rest.” Again the brother said to him, “If I have my needs supplied from somewhere, do you want me to bother with handiwork?” And the old man answered, “However much you have, do not abandon your handiwork; do as much as you can, only not with agitation.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 94.1 (PG 65:375; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/94-1). ## Peter the Pionite 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-95-1 - Source: PG 65:375 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Peter the Pionite accepts a little watered wine but judges himself for it as a luxury. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Πέτρου τοῦ Πιονίτου σεν, ἐποίουν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ μικρὸν συγκεραστὸν, καὶ παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ δέξασθαι. Καὶ ἔλεγε· Θαρσεῖτέ μοι, ὅτι ὡς κονδίτον αὐτὸ ἔχων. Καὶ·ἔκρινεν ἑαυτὸν εἰς τὸ συγκεραστόν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Peter the Pionite … the brothers made a little mixed wine, and the brothers begged him to accept it. And he said, “Believe me, I take it as spiced wine.” And he condemned himself for the mixed wine. ### Translation notes - The beginning is lost in the scan (in other copies: that he did not drink wine, and when he grew old …); not supplied. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 95.1 (PG 65:375; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/95-1). ## Peter the Pionite 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-95-2 - Source: PG 65:375–377 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Peter teaches that a visitor’s talk is let in by one’s own questions, and that mourning must be made one’s own by long labor, like the slave who chooses lifelong service. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς εἶπε τῷ ἀββᾷ Πέτρῳ τῷ τοῦ ἀββα Λὼτ, ὅτι Ὅταν εἰμὶ ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ μου, ἐν εἰρήνῃ ἐστὶν ἡ ψυχή μου· ἐὰν δὲ ἀδελφὸς παραβάλῃ μοι, καὶ τοὺς λόγους τῶν ἔξω εἴπῃ μοι, ταράσσεται ἡ ψυχή μου. Λέγει ὁ ἀββᾶς Πέτρος, ὅτι ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Λώτ· Τὸ κλειδίον σου ἀνοίγει τὴν θύραν μου. Λέγει ὁ ἀδελφὸς τῷ γέροντι Τί ἐστι τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο; Λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ἐάν τίς σοι παραβάλῃ, λέγεις αὐτῷ· Πῶς ἔχεις; Πόθεν ἦλθες; Πῶς ἔχουσιν οἱ ἀδελφοί; Προσελάβοντό σε, ἢ οὔ; Καὶ τότε ἀνοίγεις τὴν θύραν τοῦ τως ἔχει. Τί οὖν ποιήσει ἄνθρωπος, ἐὰν ἔλθῃ πρὸς αὐτὸν ἀδελφός; Λέγει ὁ γέρων· Τὸ πένθος ὅλον διδαχή ἐστιν ὅπου δὲ οὐκ ἔστι πένθος, οὐ δυνατὸν φυλάξασθαι. Λέγει ὁ ἀδελφός Ὅταν ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ ὦ, μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ ἐστι τὸ πένθος· ἐὰν δὲ ἔλθῃ τις πρὸς μὲ, ἢ ἐξέλθω ἐκ τοῦ κελλίου, οὐχ εὑρίσκω αὐτό. Λέγει ὁ γέρων· Οὐδέπω σοι ὑπετάγη, ἀλλ᾿ ὡς ἐν χρήσει ἐστί. Γέγραπται γὰρ ἐν τῷ νόμῳ, ὅτι "Ὅταν κτήσῃ παῖδα Ἑβραῖον, ἓξ ἔτη δουλεύσει σοι· τῷ δὲ ἑβδόμῳ ἔτει ἐξαποστελεῖς αὐτὸν ἐλεύθερον. Ἐὰν δὲ δῷς αὐτῷ γυναῖκα, καὶ γεννήσῃ παιδία ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ σου, καὶ μὴ θελήσῃ ἀποδιδράσκειν διὰ τὴν γυναῖκα καὶ τὰ παιδία, προσάξεις αὐτὸν πρὸς τὴν θύραν τοῦ οἴκου, καὶ τρυπήσεις αὐτοῦ τὸ ὡτίον τῷ ὀπητίῳ, καὶ ἔσται σοι δοῦλος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. Λέγει ὁ ἀδελφός· Τί ἐστι τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο; Λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ἐὰν κάμῃ ἄνθρωπος εἰς πρᾶγμα κατὰ δύναμιν, οἴαν ὥραν ζητήσει αὐτὸ εἰς χρείαν εὑρήσει αὐτό. Λέγει αὐτῷ· Ποίησον ἀγάπην· εἰπέ μοι τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο. Λέγει ὁ γέρων Οὐδὲ νόθος υἱὸς παραμένει τινὶ δουλεύων, ἀλλ᾽ ὁ γεννώμενος υἱὸς οὐκ ἐᾷ τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) A brother said to abba Peter, the disciple of abba Lot, “When I am in my cell, my soul is at peace; but if a brother visits me and tells me the talk of the outside world, my soul is troubled.” Abba Peter says that abba Lot used to say, “Your key opens my door.” The brother says to the old man, “What does this word mean?” The old man says, “If someone visits you, you say to him, ‘How are you? Where have you come from? How are the brothers? Did they receive you or not?’ And then you open the brother’s door … it is so.” “What then shall a man do if a brother comes to him?” The old man says, “Mourning is the whole teaching; where there is no mourning, it is not possible to keep watch.” The brother says, “When I am in my cell, mourning is with me; but if someone comes to me, or I go out of my cell, I do not find it.” The old man says, “It is not yet subject to you, but is like something on loan. For it is written in the law, ‘When you acquire a Hebrew slave, he shall serve you six years; and in the seventh year you shall send him away free. But if you give him a wife, and he has children in your house, and he does not want to run away because of the wife and the children, you shall bring him to the door of the house and pierce his ear with an awl, and he shall be your slave forever.’” The brother says, “What does this word mean?” The old man says, “If a man labors at something as hard as he can, whenever he seeks it in need, he will find it.” He says to him, “Do me a kindness; tell me this word.” The old man says, “Not even a bastard son stays with someone in service; but the true-born son does not leave his father.” ### Scripture references - Exod 21:2: quotation, high confidence - Exod 21:6: quotation, high confidence - John 8:35: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Words are lost in the scan in the middle (“…”; in other copies the brother hears what he does not want); not supplied. A stray word from 95.1 is removed. Quotation of Exod 21:2–6 in free form; cf. John 8:35. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 95.2 (PG 65:375–377; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/95-2). ## Peter the Pionite 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-95-3 - Source: PG 65:377 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Peter sits among the elders so as to be the least, rather than be honored among the younger. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Πέτρου καὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἐπιμάχου, ὅτι συμφωνηταὶ ἦσαν εἰς Ῥαϊθοῦ. Ἐσθιόντων δὲ αὐτῶν ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ, ἐβιάσαντο αὐτοὺς ἐλθεῖν εἰς τὴν τράπεζαν τῶν γερόντων. Καὶ μετὰ πολλοῦ κόπου ἀπῆλθεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Πέτρος μόνος. Καὶ ὡς ἀνέστησαν, λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἐπίμαχος Πῶς ἐτόλμησας ἀπελθεῖν εἰς τὴν τράπεζαν τῶν γερόντων; Ὁ δὲ ἀπεκρίθη· Εἰ ἐκάθισα μεθ᾽ ὑμῶν, ὡς γέροντα οἱ ἀδελφοὶ ἤμελλον προτρέπεσθαί με εὐλογεῖν πρῶτον, καὶ ὡς μείζων ὑμῶν εἶχον εἶναι· νῦν οὖν ἀπελθὼν ἐγγὺς τῶν Πατέρων, μικρότερος πάντων ἤμην, καὶ ταπεινότερος τῷ λογισμῷ. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Peter and abba Epimachus that they were companions at Raithou. When they were eating in the church, they were pressed to come to the table of the old men. And with great difficulty abba Peter alone went. And when they got up, abba Epimachus says to him, “How did you dare to go to the old men’s table?” He answered, “If I had sat with you, the brothers would have urged me as an old man to say the blessing first, and I would have been greater than you; but now, having gone near the Fathers, I was the least of all, and humbler in my thought.” ### Scripture references - Luke 14:10: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 95.3 (PG 65:377; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/95-3). ## Peter the Pionite 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-95-4 - Source: PG 65:377 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Give thanks, not boast, when God works through us. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Πέτρος, ὅτι Οὐ δεῖ ἐπαίρεσθαι ὅταν ὁ Κύριος ποιήσῃ τι δι' ἡμῶν, ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον εὐχαριστεῖν ὅτι κατηξιώθημεν προσκληθῆναι ὑπ' αὐτοῦ. Τοῦτο δ᾽ ἐπὶ πάσης ἀρετῆς ἔλεγε συμφέρειν λογίζεσθαι. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Peter said, “We must not be puffed up when the Lord does something through us, but rather give thanks that we have been counted worthy to be called by him.” And he said it was good to think this way about every virtue. ### Scripture references - Luke 17:10: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 95.4 (PG 65:377; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/95-4). ## Paphnutius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-96-1 - Source: PG 65:377 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: An angel tells Paphnutius that because he judged no one, his name is in the book of life. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Παφνούτιος, ὅτι Διοδεύων ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, γέγονέ με ἀποπλανηθῆναι ἀπὸ δρόσου, καὶ εὐρεθῆναι πλησίον κώμης. Καὶ εἶδόν τινας ὁμιλοῦντας ἀλλήλοις καὶ ἐστάθην δεόμενος περὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν μου. Καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος ἦλθεν ἔχων ῥομφαίαν, καὶ λέγει μοι· Παφνούτιε, πάντες οἱ κρίνοντες τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτῶν, ἐν ταύτῃ τῇ ῥομφαίᾳ ἀπολοῦνται σὺ δὲ ὅτι οὐκ ἔκρινας, ἀλλ' ἐταπείνωσας ἑαυτὸν ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὡς σὺ τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ποιήσας, διὰ τοῦτο τὸ ὄνομά σου ἐγγέγραπται ἐν βίβλῳ ζώντων. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Paphnutius said, “As I was traveling on the road, I happened to lose my way in the mist and found myself near a village. And I saw some people talking with one another, and I stood praying about my sins. And look, an angel came holding a sword, and says to me, ‘Paphnutius, all who judge their brothers will perish by this sword; but because you did not judge, but humbled yourself before God as though you had committed the sin, your name is written in the book of the living.’” ### Scripture references - Phil 4:3: echo, medium confidence - Rev 3:5: echo, low confidence - Matt 7:1: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The book of the living: Ps 69:28; Phil 4:3; Rev 3:5. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 96.1 (PG 65:377; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/96-1). ## Paphnutius 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-96-2 - Source: PG 65:377–379 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Paphnutius drinks wine at a robber’s sword-point and so wins the whole band to repentance. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Παφνουτίου, ὅτι οὐ ταχέως ἔπινεν οἶνον. Ὁδεύων δὲ ποτε εὑρέθη ἐπάνω κοληγίου λῃστῶν, καὶ εὖρεν αὐτοὺς πίνοντας οἶνον Ἐγνώριζε δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ ἀρχιλῃστὴς, καὶ ᾔδει ὅτι οὐ πίνει οἶνον. Καὶ θεωρῶν αὐτὸν ἀπὸ μεγάλου κόπου, ἐγέμισε ποτήριον οἴνου, καὶ δὲ τὸ ξίφος ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ λέγει τῷ γέροντι· Ἐὰν μὴ πίῃς, φονεύω σε. Γνοὺς δὲ ὁ γέρων ὅτι ἐντολὴν Θεοῦ θέλει ποιῆσαι, βουλόμενος αὐτὸν κερδῆσαι, ἔλαβε καὶ ἔπιεν. Ὁ δὲ ἀρχιλῃστὴς μετενόησεν αὐτῷ, λέγων· Συγχώρησόν μοι, ἀββᾶ, ὅτι ἔθλιψά σε. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Πιστεύω τῷ Θεῷ, ὅτι διὰ τὸ ποτήριον τοῦτο ποιεῖ μετὰ σοῦ ἔλεος καὶ ἐν τῷ νῦν καὶ ἐν τῷ μέλλοντι αἰῶνι. Λέγει ὁ ἀρχιληστής· Πιστεύω τῷ Θεῷ, ὅτι ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν οὐ μὴ κακοποιήσω τινά. Καὶ ἐκέρδησεν ὁ γέρων ὅλον τὸν κολήγιον ἀφεὶς τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ δια τὸν Κύριον ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Paphnutius that he did not readily drink wine. Once while traveling he came upon a band of robbers, and found them drinking wine. The robber chief knew him, and knew that he did not drink wine. Seeing him worn out from great labor, he filled a cup with wine, and holding the sword in his hand he says to the old man, “If you do not drink, I will kill you.” The old man, knowing that he wanted to do God’s commandment, and wanting to win him, took it and drank. And the robber chief made a prostration of repentance to him, saying, “Forgive me, abba, for I afflicted you.” And the old man says, “I trust in God that because of this cup he will show you mercy both now and in the age to come.” The robber chief says, “I trust in God that from now on I will harm no one.” And the old man won the whole band by giving up his own will for the Lord’s sake. ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. The words “holding the sword” render a damaged phrase (καὶ δὲ τὸ ξίφος). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 96.2 (PG 65:377–379; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/96-2). ## Paphnutius 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-96-3 - Source: PG 65:379 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The elders’ only counsel to Paphnutius was not to measure himself. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν, ὅτι ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Παφνούτιος· Εἰς πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ζωῆς τῶν γερόντων, δις τὸν μῆνα παρέβαλον αὐτοῖς, ἔχων ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν τὸ διάστημα μίλια δώδεκα, καὶ πάντα λογισμὸν ἔλεγον αὐτοῖς, καὶ οὐδὲν μοι ἕτερον ἔλεγον, ἢ τοῦτο, ὅτι Εἰς ὃν ἂν τόπον ἀπέλθῃς, μὴ μετρεῖς ἑαυτὸν, καὶ ἔσῃ ἀναπαυόμενος. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Poemen said that abba Paphnutius used to say, “All the days of the old men’s lives I visited them twice a month, though they were twelve miles away from me, and I told them every thought, and they said nothing else to me but this: ‘Wherever you go, do not measure yourself, and you will be at rest.’” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 96.3 (PG 65:379; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/96-3). ## Paphnutius 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-96-4 - Source: PG 65:379 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A monk who left to marry finds one wife a burden and returns to Paphnutius to become a proven monk. ### Greek text Ἦν τις ἀδελφὸς εἰς Σκῆτιν μετὰ τοῦ ἀββα Παφνουτίου, καὶ ἐπολεμεῖτο εἰς πορνείαν, καὶ ἔλεγεν· Ἐὰν λάβω δέκα γυναῖκας, οὐ πληρῶ τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν μου. Ὁ δὲ γέρων παρεκάλει λέγων· Μὴ, τέκνον· πόλεμός ἐστι τῶν δαιμόνων. Καὶ οὐκ ἐπείσθη· ἀλλὰ ἀπῆλθεν εἰς Αἴγυπτον, καὶ ἔλαβε γυναῖκα. Μετὰ δὲ χρόνον ἐγένετο ἀναβῆναι τὸν γέροντα εἰς Αἴγυπτον, καὶ ἀπαντῆσαι αὐτὸν βαστάζοντα σπυρίδια ὀστράκων· ὁ δὲ γέρων οὐκ ἐγνώρισεν αὐτόν· ἀλλ᾿ αὐτὸς λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ δεῖνα ὁ μαθητής σου. Καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν ὁ γέρων ἐν τῇ ἀτιμίᾳ ἐκείνῃ, ἔκλαυσε, καὶ εἶπε· Πῶς ἀφῆκας τὴν τιμὴν ἐκείνην, καὶ ἦλθες εἰς τὴν ἀτιμίαν ταύτην; πλὴν ἔλαβες τὰς δέκα γυναῖκας; Καὶ στενάξας εἶπε· Φύσει μίαν ἔλαβον, καὶ ταλαιπωρῶ πῶς αὐτὴν χορτάσω ἄρτον. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Δεῦρο πάλιν μεθ᾽ ἡμῶν. Καὶ εἶπεν· Ἔνι μετάνοια, ἀββᾶ; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ἔνι. Καὶ καταλείψας πάντα, ἠκολούθησεν αὐτόν· καὶ εἰσελθὼν εἰς Σκῆτιν, ἀπὸ τῆς πείρας γέγονε δόκιμος μοναχός. ### English translation (Claude) There was a brother at Scetis with abba Paphnutius, and he was attacked by sexual temptation, and said, “If I take ten wives, I will not satisfy my desire.” The old man urged him, saying, “No, child; it is a war of the demons.” But he was not persuaded, and went off to Egypt and took a wife. After a time the old man happened to go up to Egypt, and he met him carrying baskets of potsherds; the old man did not recognize him; but he says to him, “I am so-and-so, your disciple.” And seeing him in that degradation, the old man wept and said, “How did you leave that honor and come to this dishonor? But did you take the ten wives?” And groaning he said, “Truly, I took one, and I toil wretchedly to fill her with bread.” And the old man says to him, “Come back with us.” And he said, “Is there repentance, abba?” He said, “There is.” And leaving everything, he followed him; and coming to Scetis, from experience he became a proven monk. ### Translation notes - The saying presents marriage as the outcome of a monk’s yielding to temptation; translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 96.4 (PG 65:379; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/96-4). ## Paphnutius 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-96-5 - Source: PG 65:379 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Three elders tell a restless hermit, in increasingly simple terms, to stay in his cell. ### Greek text Ἀδελφῷ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καθημένῳ τῆς Θηβαΐδος, ἦλθεν αὐτῷ λογισμὸς, λέγων· Τί κάθῃ ἄκαρπος; ἀνάστα, ὕπαγε εἰς κοινόβιον, καὶ ἐκεῖ ποιεῖς καρπόν. Καὶ ἀναστὰς ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Παφνούτιον, καὶ ἀνήγγειλεν αὐτῷ τὸν λογισμόν. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ὕπαγε, κάθου εἰς τὸ κελλίον σου· καὶ ποίει μίαν εὐχὴν πρωϊ, καὶ μίαν ἑσπέρας, καὶ μίαν τὴν νύκτα· καὶ ὅταν πεινᾷς, φάγε, καὶ ὅταν διψᾶς, πίε, καὶ ὅταν νυστάζῃς, κοιμῶ· καὶ μένε εἰς γῆνδα ἔρημον· καὶ μὴ πεισθῇς αὐτῷ. Ἦλθε δὲ καὶ πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἰωάννην, καὶ ἀνήγγειλε τὰ ῥήματα τοῦ ἀββᾶ Παφνουτίου. Καὶ λέγει ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωάννης· Μὴ ποιήσῃς ὅλως εὐχὴν, μόνον κάθου εἰς τὸ κελλίον σου. Καὶ ἀναστὰς ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ἀρσένιον, καὶ ἀνήγγειλεν αὐτῷ πάντα. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Κράτει ὡς οἱ Πατέρες σοι εἶπαν· πλεῖον γὰρ τούτων, οὐκ ἔχω σοί τι εἰπεῖν. Καὶ πληροφορηθεὶς ἀπῆλθεν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother living in the desert of the Thebaid had a thought come to him, saying, “Why do you sit here fruitless? Get up, go to a community, and there you will bear fruit.” And getting up he came to abba Paphnutius and told him the thought. And the old man says to him, “Go, sit in your cell; and say one prayer in the morning, one in the evening, and one in the night; and when you are hungry, eat; when you are thirsty, drink; when you are sleepy, sleep; and stay in the desert; and do not be persuaded by it.” He came also to abba John and told him abba Paphnutius’s words. And abba John says, “Do not pray at all; only sit in your cell.” And getting up he came to abba Arsenius and told him everything. And the old man says to him, “Keep to what the Fathers told you; I have nothing more than these to tell you.” And assured, he went away. ### Translation notes - εἰς γῆνδα ἔρημον is corrupt in the scan (probably “in the desert”). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 96.5 (PG 65:379; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/96-5). ## Paul 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-97-1 - Source: PG 65:379–381 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Paul handles snakes and scorpions, explaining that purity restores Adam’s rule over creation. ### Greek text Διηγήσατό τις τῶν Πατέρων περί τινος ἀββᾶ Παύλου, ὅτι ἦν ἐκ τῶν κάτω μερῶν τῆς Αἰγύπτου, οἰκῶν δὲ ἐν Θηβαΐδι· ὅτι οὗτος ἐκράτει ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ τοὺς κεράστας καὶ τοὺς ὄφεις καὶ τοὺς σκορπίους, καὶ ἔσχιζεν αὐτοὺς μέσους. Καὶ ἔβαλον αὐτῷ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ μετάνοιαν, λέγοντες· Εἰπὲ ἡμῖν ποίαν ἐργασίαν ἐποίησας, ἵνα λάβης τὴν χάριν ταύτην. Ὁ δὲ ἔφη· Συγχωρήσατέ μοι, Πατέρες· ἐὰν τις κτήσηται καθαρότητα, πάντα ὑποτάσσεται αὐτῷ, ὡς τῷ Ἀ̓δὰμ ὅτε ἦν ἐν παραδείσῳ, πρὶν ἢ παραβῆναι τὴν ἐντολήν. ### English translation (Claude) One of the Fathers related of a certain abba Paul, who was from the lower parts of Egypt but lived in the Thebaid, that he would take horned vipers and snakes and scorpions in his hands and tear them in two. And the brothers made a prostration to him, saying, “Tell us what work you did to receive this grace.” He said, “Forgive me, Fathers; if someone acquires purity, everything is subject to him, as to Adam when he was in paradise, before he transgressed the commandment.” ### Scripture references - Gen 1:28: echo, low confidence - Gen 2:19: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The words “and scorpions,” displaced in the scan, are put back in the list. Gen 1:28; 2:19–20. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 97.1 (PG 65:379–381; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/97-1). ## Paul the Cosmetes 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-98-1 - Source: PG 65:381 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Two quarrelsome brothers agree to bear with each other and live in peace. ### Greek text Ὁ ἀββᾶς Παῦλος ὁ κοσμίτης καὶ Τιμόθεος ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ ἐκαθέζοντο ἐν τῇ Σκήτει καὶ πολλαχῶς ἐγίνετο μεταξὺ αὐτῶν ἀντιλογία. Λέγει ὁ ἀββᾶς Παῦλος Ἕως πότε μένομεν οὕτως; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Τιμόθεος· Ποίησον ἀγάπην· ὅταν ἔρχωμαι ἐπάνω σου, βάσταξόν με· καὶ ὅταν ἔρχῃ καὶ σὺ ἐπάνω μου, βαστάζω σε κἀγώ. Καὶ ποιήσαντες οὕτως ἀνεπάησαν τὰς ἐπιλοίπους αὐτῶν ἡμέρας. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Paul the cosmetes and Timothy his brother lived at Scetis, and there was often contention between them. Abba Paul says, “How long shall we stay like this?” Abba Timothy says to him, “Do me a kindness: when I come against you, bear with me; and when you come against me, I too will bear with you.” And doing so they were at rest for the rest of their days. ### Scripture references - Gal 6:2: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - κοσμήτης (“cosmetes”) is probably a former occupation (perhaps a barber or dresser); uncertain. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 98.1 (PG 65:381; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/98-1). ## Paul the Cosmetes 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-98-2 - Source: PG 65:381 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Paul says night’s stillness suffices if the mind is watchful. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἀββᾶς Παῦλος καὶ Τιμόθεος κοσμῖται ἦσαν ἐν τῇ Σκήτει, καὶ ὠχλοῦντο ὑπὸ τῶν ἀδελφῶν. Καὶ λέγει ὁ Τιμόθεος τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ Τί θέλομεν τὴν τέχνην ταύτην; οὐκ ἀφιόμεθα ἡσυχάσαι ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν. Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ ἀββᾶς Παῦλος εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἀρκεῖ ἡμῖν ἡ ἡσυχία τῆς νυκτὸς, ἐὰν νήφῃ ἡμῶν ἡ διάνοια. ### English translation (Claude) The same abba Paul and Timothy were cosmetes at Scetis, and they were troubled by the brothers. And Timothy says to his brother, “What do we want with this trade? We are not left in stillness all day.” And abba Paul answered him, “The stillness of the night is enough for us, if our mind is watchful.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 98.2 (PG 65:381; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/98-2). ## Paul the Great 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-99-1 - Source: PG 65:381 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Paul warns that going out for small needs exposes a monk to demons; and he describes himself as sunk in mud, crying for mercy. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Παῦλος ὁ μέγας ὁ Γαλάτης, ὅτι Μοναχὸς ἔχων μικρὰς χρείας ἐν τῇ κέλλῃ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐξερχόμενος φροντίσαι, ἀπὸ δαιμόνων χλευάζεται: καὶ γὰρ κἀγὼ αὐτὸ ἔπαθον. μ'. Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Παῦλος Εἰς βόρβορόν εἰμι καταποντιζόμενος ἕως τραχήλου, καὶ κλαίω ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Θεοῦ, λέγων· Ἐλέησόν με. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Paul the Great, the Galatian, said, “A monk who has a few needs in his cell and goes out to see to them is mocked by the demons; for I too suffered this.” [2] Abba Paul said, “I am sunk in mud up to my neck, and I weep before God, saying, ‘Have mercy on me.’” ### Scripture references - Ps 69:2 (68:3 LXX): echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The scan runs Paul 2 (its numeral misread) into this saying; marked [2]. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 99.1 (PG 65:381; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/99-1). ## Paul the Great 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-99-3 - Source: PG 65:381 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Paul spent Lent shut in with a little lentils and water, weaving and unweaving one basket. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Παύλου, ὅτι ἐποίησε τὴν Τεσσαρακοστὴν εἰς ματὶν φακοῦ καὶ λαγύνιον ὕδατος· καὶ εἰς ἓν μαλάκιον, αὐτὸ πλέκων καὶ ἀναλύων, ἕως τῆς ἑορτῆς ἐγκεκλεισμένος. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Paul that he spent Lent on a measure of lentils and a jar of water; and with one basket, plaiting it and unraveling it, shut in until the feast. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 99.3 (PG 65:381; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/99-3). ## Paul the Simple 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/89-178/#p-100-1 - Source: PG 65:381–385 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Paul the Simple sees a fornicator enter church dark with demons and leave shining, converted by the reading of Isaiah. ### Greek text Ὁ μακάριος ἀββᾶς Παῦλος ὁ ἁπλοῦς ὁ τοῦ ἁγίου, Αντωνίου μαθητὴς, διηγήσατο τοῖς Πατράσι πρᾶγμα τοιοῦτον· ὅτι ποτὲ παραγενόμενος ἐν μοναστηρίῳ· ἐπισκέψεως ἕνεκεν καὶ ὠφελείας χάριν ἀδελφῶν, μετὰ τὴν πρὸς ἀλλήλους αὐτῶν συνήθη διάλεκτον, εἴσεισιν ἐν τῇ ἁγίᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐκκλησίᾳ τὴν συνήθη σύναξιν ἐπιτελέσαι. Ὁ δὲ μακάριος Παῦλος, φησὶ, ὁποίᾳ ἄρα ψυχῇ εἰσίασιν εἰς τὴν σύναξιν εἶχε γὰρ καὶ ταύτην τὴν χάριν παρὰ Κυρίου δοθεῖσαν αὐτῷ, ὥστε ὁρᾶν ἕκαστον ὁποῖος ἐστι τῇ ψυχῇ, ὥσπερ ἡμεῖς βλέπομεν ἀλλήλων τὰ πρόσωπα. Πάντων δὲ εἰσιόντων λαμπρᾷ τῇ ὄψει καὶ φαιδρῷ τῷ προσώπῳ, τόν τε ἑκάστου ἄγγελον χαίροντα ἐπ' αὐτῷ ἕνα, φησὶν, ὁρᾷ μέλανα καὶ ζοφώδη ὅλον τὸ σῶμα, δαίμονας δὲ παρ' ἑκατέρᾳ σὲ τοῦτον συνέχοντας καὶ ἕλκοντας αὐτὸν πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς, φορβειὰν ἐπὶ τὴν ῥῖνα αὐτοῦ βάλλοντας· τὸν τε ἅγιον ἄγγελον αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ μακρόθεν ἀκολουθοῦντα σκυθρωπὸν καὶ κατηφῆ. Ὁ δὲ Παῦλος δακρύσας, καὶ τῇ χειρὶ τὸ στῆθος πλήξας ἐκαθέζετο πρὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας, ἀποκλαιόμενος σφόδρα τὸν οὕτως ὀφθέντα αὐτῷ. Οἱ δὲ θεασάμενοι τὸ παράδοξον τοῦ ἀνδρὸς, τήν τε ὀξεῖαν αὐτοῦ μεταβολὴν, πρὸς δάκρυα καὶ πένθος κινήσαντα, ἠρώτων αὐτὸν παρακαλοῦντες τὸ διατί κλαίει εἰπεῖν, νομίζοντες μήτι καταγνοὺς ἁπάντων τοῦτο ποιεῖ· παρεκάλουν τε αὐτὸν καὶ εἰς τὴν σύναξιν σὺν αὐτοῖς εἰσιέναι. Ὁ δὲ Παῦλος ἀποσεισάμενος αὐτοὺς ἐκαθέζετο ἔξω, ἀποδυρόμενος πάνυ τὸν οὕτως ὀφθέντα αὐτῷ. Μετ᾿ οὐ πολὺ δὲ τῆς συνάξεως ἀπολυθείσης, καὶ πάντων ἐξιόντων, πάλιν κατεμάνθανεν ὁ Παῦλος ἕκαστον, βουλόμενος γνῶναι οἷοι ἐξέρχονται· καὶ ὁρᾷ τὸν ἄνδρα ἐκεῖνον, τὸν μέλαν καὶ ζοφῶδες ἔχοντα τὸ πρὶν ὅλον τὸ σῶμα, ἐξερχόμενον ἀπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας λαμπρὸν τῷ προσώπῳ, λευκὸν τῷ σώματι, καὶ τοὺς δαίμονας μακράν που ἀκολουθοῦντας, τόν τε ἅγιον ἄγγελον ἐγγὺς αὐτοῦ παρεπόμενον καὶ χαίροντα ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ σφόδρα. Ὁ δὲ Παῦλος ἀναπηδήσας μετὰ χαρᾶς, ἐβόα εὐλογῶν τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ λέγων· Ὣ τῆς ἀφάτου τοῦ Θεοῦ φιλανθρωπίας καὶ ἀγαθότητος Δραμὼν δὲ καὶ ἀναβὰς ἐπὶ βαθμοῦ ὑψηλοῦ, μεγάλῃ τῇ φωνῇ ἔλεγε Δεῦτε καὶ ἴδετε τὰ ἔργα τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὡς φοβερὰ καὶ πάσης ἐκπλήξεως ἄξια. Δεῦτε καὶ ἴδετε τὸν θέλοντα πάντας ἀνθρώπους σωθῆναι, καὶ εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν ἀληθείας ἐλθεῖν. Δεῦτε προσκυνήσωμεν καὶ προσπέσωμεν αὐτῷ, καὶ εἴπωμεν· Σὺ μόνος δύνασαι ἀφαιρεῖν ἁμαρτίας. Συνέτρεχον δὲ πάντες μετὰ σπουδῆς, τῶν λεγομένων ἀκοῦσαι βουλόμενοι. Καὶ συνελθόντων πάντων, διηγεῖτο ὁ Παῦλος τὰ ὁραθέντα αὐτῷ πρὸ τῆς εἰσόδου τῆς ἐκκλησίας, καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα πάλιν, καὶ ἠξίου τὸν ἄνδρα ἐκεῖνον λέγειν τὴν αἰτίαν, δι᾽ ἣν αὐτῷ τὴν τοσαύτην μεταβολὴν αἰφνιδίως ὁ Θεὸς ἐχαρίσατο. Ὁ δὲ ἄνθρωπος ἐλεγχθεὶς ὑπὸ τοῦ Παύλου, ἐνώπιον πάντων ἀνυποστόλως διηγεῖτο τὰ καθ' ἑαυτὸν, λέγων· Ἐγὼ ἄνθρωπός εἰμι ἁμαρτωλὸς, φησὶ, καὶ ἐκ πολλοῦ τοῦ χρόνου πορνείαις συνέζων μέχρι τοῦ νῦν· εἰσελθὼν δὲ νῦν ἐν τῇ ἁγίᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐκκλησίᾳ, ἤκουσα τοῦ ἁγίου προφήτου Ἠσαΐου ἀναγινωσκομένου, μᾶλλον δὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ λαλοῦντος δι' αὐτοῦ· Λούσασθε, καθαροὶ γένεσθε, ἀφέλετε τὰς πονηρίας ὑμῶν ἀπὸ τῶν καρδιῶν ὑμῶν· ἀπέναντι τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν μου, μάθετε καλὸν ποιεῖν. Καὶ ἐὰν ὦσιν αἱ ἁμαρτίαι ὑμῶν ὡς φοινικοῦν, ὡς χιόνα λευκανῶ. Καὶ ἐὰν θέλητε καὶ εἰσακούσητέ μου, τὰ ἀγαθὰ τῆς γῆς φάγεσθε. Ἐγὼ δὲ, φησὶν, ὁ πόρνος, ἐπὶ τῷ λόγῳ τοῦ προφήτου κατανυγεὶς τὴν ψυχὴν, καὶ στενάξας ἐν τῇ διανοίᾳ μου, εἶπον πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, ὅτι Σὺ ὁ Θεὸς, ὁ ἐλθὼν εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἁμαρτωλοὺς σῶσαι, ἃ νῦν διὰ τοῦ προφήτου σου ἐπηγγείλω, ταῦτα καὶ εἰς ἐμὲ πλήρωσον τὸν ἁμαρτωλὸν καὶ ἀνάξιον. Ἰδοὺ γὰρ ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν δίδωμί σοι λόγον, συντάσσομαι δὲ, καὶ ἐκ καρδίας ἐξομολογοῦμαί σοι, ὅτι οὐ μὴ πράξω ἔτι τι τῶν κακῶν ἀλλὰ ἀποτάσσομαι πᾶσαν παρανομίαν καὶ δουλεύσω σοι ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν ἐν καθαρᾷ συνειδήσει. Σήμερον, ὦ Δέσποτα, καὶ ἐκ τῆς ὥρας ταύτης, δέξαι με μετανοοῦντα, καὶ προσπίπτοντά σοι, καὶ ἀπεχόμενον τοῦ λοιποῦ πάσης ἁμαρτίας. Ἐπὶ ταύταις, φησὶ, ταῖς συνθήκαις ἐξῆλθον ἀπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας, κρίνας ἐν τῇ ἐμαυτοῦ ψυχῇ, μηκέτι μηδὲν φαῦλον πρᾶξαι ἀπέναντι τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ἀκούσαντες δὲ πάντες ἀνεβόων μιᾷ φωνῇ πρὸς τὸν Θεόν· Ὡ̔ς ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου, Κύριε! πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας. Γινώσκοντες τοίνυν, ὦ Χριστιανοὶ, ἐκ τῶν θείων Γραφῶν, καὶ ἐκ τῶν ἁγίων ἀποκαλύψεων, ὅσην ἔχει ὁ Θεὸς ἀγαθότητα περὶ τοὺς εἰς αὐτὸν γνησίως καταφεύγοντας, καὶ διὰ μετανοίας τὰ πρότερον αὐτοῖς ἐπταισμένα διορθουμένους καὶ ὅτι ἀποδίδωσι πάλιν τὰ ἐπηγγελμένα ἀγαθὰ, οὐκ εἰσπραττόμενος δίκας ὑπὲρ τῶν προτέρων ἁμαρτιῶν, μὴ ἀπελπίσωμεν τῆς ἑαυτῶν σωτηρίας. Ωσπερ γὰρ διὰ Ἡσαΐου τοῦ προφήτου ἐπηγγείλατο, τοὺς ἐν ἁμαρτίαις βεβορβορωμένους πλύνειν, καὶ ὡς ἔριον καὶ ὡς χιόνα λευκαίνειν, καὶ τῶν ἀγαθῶν τῆς ἐπουρανίου Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἀξιοῦν· οὕτως αὖθις διὰ τοῦ ἁγίου προφήτου Ἰεζεκιήλ, μεθ᾽ ὅρκου ἡμᾶς πληροφορεῖ μὴ ἀπολλύειν Ζῶ γὰρ, φησὶ, λέγει Κύριος, ὅτι οὐ βούλομαι τὸν θάνατον τοῦ ἁμαρτωλοῦ, ὡς τὸ ἐπιστρέψαι καὶ ζῇν αὐτόν. ### English translation (Claude) Blessed abba Paul the Simple, the disciple of holy Antony, told the Fathers this thing: that once he came to a monastery to visit and to help the brothers, and after their usual conversation with one another, they went into the holy church of God to perform the usual synaxis. “And blessed Paul,” he says, “[watched] with what kind of soul each went in to the synaxis.” For he had this grace given him by the Lord, to see each one as he is in soul, as we see one another’s faces. All went in with bright looks and shining faces, and the angel of each rejoicing over him; but one, he says, he sees black and dark in his whole body, with demons on each side holding him and dragging him toward themselves, putting a halter on his nose; and his holy angel following far behind, gloomy and downcast. Paul wept, and beating his breast with his hand, sat in front of the church, weeping bitterly for the one who had appeared to him so. Those who saw the strange behavior of the man, and his sudden change to tears and mourning, asked and begged him to tell why he was weeping, thinking that he did this because he condemned them all; and they urged him to come into the synaxis with them. But Paul shook them off and sat outside, lamenting greatly for the one who had appeared to him so. Not long after, when the synaxis was dismissed and all were coming out, Paul again watched each one, wanting to know how they came out; and he sees that man, who before had his whole body black and dark, coming out of the church bright in face, white in body, and the demons following far off, and the holy angel accompanying him closely and rejoicing over him greatly. And Paul leapt up with joy and cried out, blessing God and saying, “O the ineffable love for man and goodness of God!” Running and climbing onto a high step, he said with a loud voice, “Come and see the works of God, how fearful and worthy of all amazement! Come and see him who wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth! Come, let us worship and fall down before him and say, ‘You alone can take away sins.’” All ran together eagerly, wanting to hear what was said. And when all had gathered, Paul told what he had seen before entering the church and afterward, and asked that man to tell the reason why God had granted him so great a change so suddenly. The man, exposed by Paul, told before everyone without reserve about himself, saying, “I am a sinful man, and for a long time I lived in fornication until now; but coming now into the holy church of God, I heard the holy prophet Isaiah being read, or rather God speaking through him: ‘Wash yourselves, become clean, take away the evils from your hearts before my eyes, learn to do good. And if your sins are like scarlet, I will make them white as snow. And if you are willing and listen to me, you shall eat the good things of the land.’ And I, the fornicator,” he says, “pierced in soul at the word of the prophet and groaning in my mind, said to God, ‘You, God, who came into the world to save sinners, what you have now promised through your prophet, fulfill also in me, a sinner and unworthy. For look, from now on I give you my word, I pledge myself and confess to you from my heart that I will no longer do any evil, but I renounce all lawlessness and will serve you from now on with a pure conscience. Today, O Master, and from this hour, receive me repenting and falling down before you and abstaining from now on from all sin.’ On these terms,” he says, “I came out of the church, having resolved in my soul never again to do anything base before God.” Hearing this, all cried out with one voice to God, “How great are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you have made them all.” Knowing then, O Christians, from the divine Scriptures and from holy revelations, how great is God’s goodness toward those who take refuge in him sincerely and correct by repentance their former falls, and that he gives back again the promised good things, not exacting penalties for former sins, let us not despair of our salvation. For as through Isaiah the prophet he promised to wash those defiled in sins and make them white as wool and as snow, and count them worthy of the good things of the heavenly Jerusalem, so again through the holy prophet Ezekiel he assures us with an oath that he will not destroy us: “For as I live,” he says, “says the Lord, I do not desire the death of the sinner, but that he turn and live.” ### Scripture references - Ps 66:5 (65:5 LXX): quotation, high confidence - 1 Tim 2:4: quotation, high confidence - Ps 95:6 (94:6 LXX): quotation, high confidence - Isa 1:16: quotation, high confidence - Isa 1:18: quotation, high confidence - Isa 1:19: quotation, high confidence - 1 Tim 1:15: allusion, high confidence - Ps 104:24 (103:24 LXX): quotation, high confidence - Ezek 33:11: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Variant notes and stray letters are removed; words of the Isaiah quotation displaced into Paul’s cry are put back in the quotation. Quotations: Ps 66:5 (LXX 65:5); 1 Tim 2:4; Ps 95:6 (LXX 94:6); Isa 1:16–19; 1 Tim 1:15; Ps 104:24 (LXX 103:24); Ezek 33:11. The closing exhortation is the compiler’s. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 100.1 (PG 65:381–385; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/100-1). ## Peter of Dios 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/101-1/#p-101-1 - Source: PG 65:385 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Peter of Dios, though a priest, humbly stood behind others at prayer. ### Greek text Πέτρος ὁ τῶν Δίου πρεσβύτερος, εἴποτε ηὔχετο μετά τινων, ἐπειδὴ διὰ τὴν ἱερωσύνην ἔμπροσθεν ἵστασθαι ἠναγκάζετο, τῇ ταπεινοφροσύνῃ ἑαυτὸν ὀπίσω ἴστα ἐξομολογούμενος· ὡς εἰς τὸν βίον τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀντωνίου γέγραπται. Τοῦτο ἐποίει, μηδένα λυπῶν. ### English translation (Claude) Peter, presbyter of Dios, whenever he prayed with others, since he was obliged by the priesthood to stand in front, humbly placed himself behind, making confession, as is written in the Life of abba Antony. He did this without grieving anyone. ### Extrabiblical texts - Athanasius, V. Ant. 67 (Life of Antony): allusion, low confidence ### Translation notes - The reference is to Athanasius, Life of Antony 67 (on Antony’s deference to clergy). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 101.1 (PG 65:385; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/101-1). ## Abba of Rome 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/101-1/#p-102-1 - Source: PG 65:385–389 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A Roman monk’s comforts scandalize an Egyptian peasant monk until the Roman reveals how much more he gave up. ### Greek text Πλθέ ποτε μοναχός τις Ῥωμαίος καὶ ᾤκησεν ἐν Σκήτει ἐγγύτερον τῆς ἐκκλησίας· εἶχε δὲ καὶ ἕνα δοῦλον ὑπηρετοῦντα αὐτῷ. Ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ πρεσβύτερος τὴν ἀσθένειαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ μαθὼν ἐκ ποίας ἀναπαύσεώς ἐστιν, εἴ τι ᾠκονόμει καὶ ἤρχετο εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, ἔπεμπεν αὐτῷ. Καὶ ποιήσας εἰκοσιπέντε ἔτη ἐν Σκήτει, γέγονε διορατικὸς καὶ ὀνομαστός. Ακούσας δέ τις τῶν μεγάλων Αἰγυπτίων περὶ αὐτοῦ, ἦλθεν ἰδεῖν αὐτὸν, προσδοκῶν σωματικήν τινα πολιτείαν περισσοτέραν εὑρεῖν ἐν αὐτῷ. Εἰσελθὼν δὲ ἠσπάσατο αὐτόν· καὶ ποιήσαντες εὐχὴν ἐκάθισαν. Βλέπει δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ Αἰγύπτιος φοροῦντα ἱμάτια τρυφερὰ, καὶ χαράδριον καὶ δέρμα ὑποκάτω αὐτοῦ, καὶ προσκεφάλαιον μικρόν· ἔχοντα δὲ καὶ τοὺς πόδας καθαρούς μετὰ σανδαλίων· καὶ ταῦτα ἰδὼν ἐσκανδαλίσθη, ὅτι ἐν τῷ τόπῳ οὐχ ὑπῆρχε τοιαύτη διαγωγή, ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον σκληραγωγία. Καὶ διορατικὸς ὢν ὁ γέρων ἐνόησεν ὅτι ἐσκανδαλίσθη, καὶ λέγει τῷ ὑπηρετοῦντι αὐτόν Ποίησον ἡμῖν ἑορτὴν διὰ τὸν ἀββᾶν σήμερον. Εὐκαίρησε δὲ μικρὸν λάχανον, καὶ ἥψησε· καὶ τῇ ὥρᾳ ἀναστάντες ἔφαγον. Εἶχε δὲ καὶ μικρὸν οἶνον διὰ τὴν ἀσθένειαν αὐτοῦ ὁ γέρων· καὶ ἔπιον. Καὶ ὡς ἐγένετο ὀψὲ, ἔβαλον τοὺς δώδεκα ψαλμοὺς, καὶ ἐκοιμήθησαν· ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ τὴν νύκτα. Αναστὰς δὲ τὸ πρωΐ ὁ Αἰγύπτιος, λέγει αὐτῷ· Εὔξαι ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ. Καὶ ἐξῆλθε μὴ ὠφεληθείς. Καὶ ὡς ἀπῆλθε μικρὸν, θέλων ὁ γέρων ὠφελῆσαι αὐτὸν, πέμψας μετεκαλέσατο αὐτόν· καὶ ὡς ἦλθε, μετὰ χαρᾶς πάλιν ἐδέξατο αὐτὸν, καὶ ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτὸν, λέγων· Ποίας χώρας εἶ; Καὶ λέγει· Αἰγύπτιος. Ποίας δὲ πόλεως; Ὁ δὲ ἔφη· Ἐγὼ ὅλως οὐκ εἰμὶ πολίτης. Καὶ λέγει· Τί ἦν τὸ ἔργον σου εἰς τὴν κώμην σου; Καὶ λέγει Τηρητής. Καὶ λέγει· Ποῦ ἐκοιμῶ; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν Εἰς τὸν ἀγρόν. Εἶχες, φησὶ, στρωμνὴν ὑποκάτω σου; Καὶ λέγει· Ναὶ, εἰς ἀγρὸν εἶχον θεῖναι στρῶμα ὑποκάτω μου; Ἀλλὰ πῶς Εἶπε δέ Χαμαί. Λέγει αὐτῷ πάλιν Καὶ τί εἶχες βρῶμα εἰς τὸν ἀγρόν; ἢ ποῖον οἶνον ἔπινες Ἀπεκρίθη πάλιν· Ἔνι βρῶμα ἢ πόμα εἰς ἀγρόν; Ἀλλὰ πῶς ἔζης; φησί. Λέγει Ἤσθιον ξηρὸν ἄρτον, καὶ εἰ εὕρισκον μικρὸν ταρίχιν, καὶ ὕδωρ. Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ γέρων εἶπε Μέγας κόπος. Ἕνι δὲ καὶ βαλανεῖον εἰς τὴν κώμην, ἵνα λούησθε; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν Οὐχί ἀλλὰ εἰς τὸν ποταμὸν ὅτε θέλομεν. Ὡς οὖν ἐξέλαβεν αὐτὸν ὁ γέρων εἰς ταῦτα πάντα, καὶ ἔμαθε τοῦ προτέρου βίου αὐτοῦ τὴν θλίψιν, θέλων αὐτὸν ὠφελῆσαι, διηγήσατο αὐτῷ τὴν προτέραν αὐτοῦ διαγωγὴν τὴν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, λέγων· Ἐμὲ τὸν ταπεινὸν ὂν βλέπεις, ἐκ τῆς μεγάλης πόλεως Ῥώμης εἰμὶ, καὶ μέγας γέγονα εἰς τὸ παλάτιον τοῦ βασιλέως. Καὶ ὡς ἤκουσε ὁ Αἰγύπτιος τὴν ἀρχὴν τοῦ λόγου, κατενύγη, καὶ ἤκουεν ἀκριβῶς τὰ λεγόμενα παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ. Πάλιν δὲ λέγει αὐτῷ Κατέλιπον οὖν τὴν πόλιν, καὶ ἦλθον εἰς τὴν ἔρημον ταύτην· καὶ πάλιν ἐμὲ ὂν βλέπεις, οἴκους μεγάλους εἶχον καὶ χρήματα πολλά· καὶ καταφρονήσας αὐτῶν, ἦλθον εἰς τὸ μικρὸν κελλίον τοῦτο· καὶ πάλιν ἐμὲ ὃν βλέπεις, κραββάτους εἶχον ὁλοχρύσους, ἔχοντας πολυτίμους στρωμνάς· καὶ ἀντ᾿ αὐτῶν, δέδωκέ μοι ὁ Θεὸς τὸ χαράδριον τοῦτο καὶ τὸ δέρμα πάλιν τὰ ἐνδύματά μου πολλῆς τιμῆς ἄξια ἦν· καὶ ἀντὶ ἐκείνων, φορῶ τὰ εὐτελῆ ταῦτα ἱμάτια· πάλιν εἰς τὸ ἄριστόν μου πολὺ χρυσίον ἀνηλίσκετο· καὶ ἀντὶ ἐκείνου, ἔδωκέ μοι ὁ Θεὸς τὸ μικρὸν λάχανον τοῦτο, καὶ τὸ μικρὸν ποτήριον τοῦ οἴνου. Ἦσαν δὲ οἱ ὑπηρετοῦντές μοι παῖδες πολλοί· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀντ᾿ ἐκείνων, κατένυξεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν γέροντα τοῦτον ὑπηρετῆσαί μοι· ἀντὶ δὲ βαλανείου, βάλλω τὸ μικρὸν ὕδωρ εἰς τοὺς πόδας μου, καὶ τὰ σανδάλια διὰ τὴν ἀσθένειάν μου· πάλιν ἀντὶ μουσικῶν καὶ κιθαρῶν, λέγω τοὺς δώδεκα ψαλμούς· ὁμοίως καὶ τὴν νύκτα, ἀντὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ὧν ἐποίουν, ἄρτι μετὰ ἀναπαύσεως ποιῶ μικράν μου λειτουργίαν. Παρακαλῶ οὖν σε, ἀββᾶ, μὴ σκανδαλισθῆς εἰς τὴν ἀσθένειάν μου. Ταῦτα ἀκούσας ὁ Αἰγύπτιος, εἰς ἑαυτὸν ἐλθὼν, εἶπεν· Οὐαί μοι, ὅτι ἀπὸ πολλῆς θλίψεως τοῦ κόσμου εἰς ἀνάπαυσιν ἦλθον, καὶ ἃ οὐκ εἶχον τότε, νῦν ἔχω· σὺ δὲ ἀπὸ πολλῆς ἀναπαύσεως εἰς θλίψιν ἦλθες, καὶ ἀπὸ πολλῆς δόξης καὶ πλούτου ἦλθες εἰς ταπείνωσιν καὶ πτωχείαν. Πολλὰ δὲ ὠφεληθεὶς ἀπῆλθε, καὶ ἐγένετο αὐτοῦ φίλος, καὶ παρέβαλλεν αὐτῷ συχνῶς δι᾿ ὠφέλειαν· ἦν γὰρ ἀνὴρ διακριτικὸς, καὶ πλήρης εὐωδίας τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος. ### English translation (Claude) Once a Roman monk came and lived at Scetis near the church; he had one servant who served him. The presbyter, seeing his weakness and learning from what comfort he came, sent him whatever he provided and whatever came to the church. And spending twenty-five years at Scetis, he became clairvoyant and famous. One of the great Egyptians heard about him and came to see him, expecting to find in him some greater bodily discipline. Going in he greeted him; and after praying they sat down. The Egyptian sees him wearing soft clothes, with a bed and a skin under him and a small pillow, and having his feet clean, with sandals; and seeing this he was offended, because in that place there was no such way of life, but rather austerity. And the old man, being clairvoyant, perceived that he was offended, and says to the one who served him, “Make us a feast today because of the abba.” He had a few vegetables, and cooked them; and at the hour they got up and ate. The old man also had a little wine because of his weakness; and they drank. And when evening came, they said the twelve psalms and slept; and likewise in the night. Getting up in the morning, the Egyptian says to him, “Pray for me.” And he left without having been helped. And when he had gone a little way, the old man, wanting to help him, sent and called him back; and when he came, he received him again with joy and asked him, saying, “What country are you from?” And he says, “An Egyptian.” “And from what city?” He said, “I am not a city man at all.” And he says, “What was your work in your village?” And he says, “A field guard.” And he says, “Where did you sleep?” He said, “In the field.” “Did you have a bed under you?” he says. And he says, “Could I have had a mattress under me in the field?” “But how then?” He said, “On the ground.” He says to him again, “And what food did you have in the field? Or what wine did you drink?” He answered again, “Is there food or drink in the field?” “But how did you live?” he says. He says, “I ate dry bread, and if I found a little salt fish, and water.” The old man answered, “Great hardship. And is there a bath in the village, so that you could wash?” He said, “No, but in the river when we wanted.” When the old man had drawn him out on all these things, and learned the hardship of his former life, wanting to help him, he told him his own former way of life in the world, saying, “I, the humble one you see, am from the great city of Rome, and I became great in the emperor’s palace.” And when the Egyptian heard the beginning of the word, he was pierced to the heart, and listened carefully to what he said. And again he says to him, “So I left the city and came to this desert; and again, I whom you see had great houses and much wealth; and despising them, I came to this little cell; and again, I whom you see had beds all of gold with costly coverings; and instead of them God has given me this bed and this skin; again, my clothes were worth a great price; and instead of those I wear these cheap garments; again, at my meals much gold was spent; and instead of that God has given me these few vegetables and this little cup of wine. There were many slaves who served me; and look, instead of them God has moved this old man to serve me; instead of a bath, I pour a little water on my feet, and wear sandals because of my weakness; again, instead of music and lyres, I say the twelve psalms; and likewise in the night, instead of the sins I used to commit, I now quietly perform my little service. So I beg you, abba, do not be offended at my weakness.” Hearing this, the Egyptian came to himself and said, “Woe is me, for from great affliction in the world I have come to rest, and what I did not have then, I have now; but you have come from great rest to affliction, and from great glory and wealth to humility and poverty.” And greatly helped he went away, and became his friend, and visited him often for help; for he was a man of discernment, and full of the fragrance of the Holy Spirit. ### Translation notes - The scan interleaves the description of the Roman’s comforts with words from later in the saying and variant notes; the notes are removed and the words put back in their places. The order of the questions about the bed is disturbed in the scan and is translated by sense. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 102.1 (PG 65:385–389; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/102-1). ## Abba of Rome 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/101-1/#p-102-2 - Source: PG 65:389 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: An elder who expelled his disciple in anger is won by his patience and calls him father. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς εἶπεν, ὅτι ἦν τις γέρων ἔχων καλὸν μαθητήν· καὶ ἀπὸ ὀλιγωρίας ἔβαλεν αὐτὸν ἔξω μετὰ τῆς μηλωτῆς αὐτοῦ. Ὁ δὲ ἀδελφὸς ὑπέμεινεν ἔξω καθήμενος. Καὶ ἀνοίξας ὁ γέρων, εὖρεν αὐτὸν καθήμενον, καὶ ἔβαλεν αὐτῷ μετάνοιαν, λέγων· Πάτερ, ἡ ταπείνωσις τῆς μακροθυμίας σου ἐνίκησε τὴν ἐμὴν ὀλιγωρίαν. Δεῦρο ἔσω· ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν σὺ γέρων εἶ καὶ Πατὴρ, ἐγὼ δὲ νεώτερος καὶ μαθητής. ### English translation (Claude) The same said that there was an old man who had a good disciple; and out of irritation he threw him out with his sheepskin. But the brother waited, sitting outside. And the old man, opening, found him sitting, and made a prostration to him, saying, “Father, the humility of your patience has overcome my irritation. Come in; from now on you are the old man and the father, and I the younger and the disciple.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 102.2 (PG 65:389; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/102-2). ## Rufus 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/101-1/#p-103-1 - Source: PG 65:389 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Rufus defines stillness as sitting in the cell in God’s fear, free of grudges and pride, the mother of virtues. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Ῥοῦφον· Τί ἐστιν ἡσυχία, καὶ τίς ἡ ὠφέλεια αὐτῆς; Ὁ δὲ γέρων λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἡσυχία ἐστὶ, τὸ καθεσθῆναι ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ μετὰ φόβου καὶ γνώσεως Θεοῦ, ἀπεχόμενος μνησικακίας καὶ ὑψηλοφροσύνης. Ἡ τοιαύτη ἡσυχία γεννήτρια οὖσα πασῶν τῶν ἀρετῶν, φυλάσσει τὸν μοναχὸν ἀπὸ τῶν πεπυρωμένων βελῶν τοῦ ἐχθροῦ, μὴ ἐῶσα αὐτὸν τιτρώσκεσθαι ὑπ᾿ αὐτῶν. Ναὶ, ἀδελφὲ, ταύτην κτῆσαι, μνημονεύων τῆς ἐξόδου τοῦ θανάτου σου, ὅτι οὐκ οἶδας ποίᾳ ὥρᾳ ὁ κλέπτης ἔρχεται. Λοιπὸν οὖν, νῆφε περὶ τῆς ἰδίας ψυχῆς. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Rufus, “What is stillness, and what is its benefit?” The old man says to him, “Stillness is to sit in the cell with fear and knowledge of God, abstaining from remembering wrongs and from pride. Such stillness, being the mother of all the virtues, guards the monk from the fiery arrows of the enemy, not letting him be wounded by them. Yes, brother, acquire it, remembering the departure of your death, for you do not know at what hour the thief comes. So then, keep watch over your own soul.” ### Scripture references - Eph 6:16: allusion, medium confidence - Matt 24:43: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Eph 6:16; Matt 24:43. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 103.1 (PG 65:389; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/103-1). ## Rufus 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/101-1/#p-103-2 - Source: PG 65:389–391 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Rufus relates a vision ranking obedience above illness borne with thanks, hospitality, and solitude, and praises obedience. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ῥοῦφος, ὅτι ὁ καθήμενος ἐν ὑποταγῇ πατρὸς πνευματικοῦ, πλείονα μισθὸν ἔχει τοῦ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καθ' ἑαυτὸν ἀναχωροῦντος. Ἔλεγε δὲ οὗτος, ὅτι διηγήσατό τις τῶν Πατέρων, λέγων, ὅτι Εἶδον τέσσαρα τάγματα ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ· τὸ πρῶτον τάγμα, ἄνθρωπος ἀσθενῶν καὶ εὐχαριστῶν τῷ Θεῷ τὸ δεύτερον τάγμα, ὁ τὴν φιλοξενίαν διώκων καὶ εἰς τοῦτο ἱστάμενος καὶ διακονῶν· τὸ τρίτον τάγμα, ὁ τὴν ἔρημον διώκων καὶ μὴ βλέπων ἄνθρωπον· τὸ τέταρτον τάγμα, ὁ ἐν ὑποταγῇ καθήμενος πατρὸς καὶ ὑποτασσόμενος αὐτῷ διὰ τὸν Κύριον. Ἐφόρει δὲ ὁδιὰ τὴν ὑπακοὴν μανιάκην χρυσοῦν καὶ γοργόνα, καὶ πλείονα τῶν ἄλλων δόξαν εἶχεν Ἐγὼ δὲ, φησὶ, εἶπον τῷ ὁδηγοῦντί με, ὅτι Πῶς οὗτος ὁ μικρότερος παρὰ τοὺς ἄλλους πλείονα δόξαν ἔχει; 'Ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπέ μοι· Ἐπειδὴ ὁ τὴν φιλοξενίαν διώκων ἰδίῳ θελήματι ποιεῖ· καὶ ὁ εἰς τὴν ἔρημον ὢν ἰδίᾳ θελήματι ἀνεχώρησεν οὗτος δὲ ὁ τὴν ὑπακοὴν ἔχων, πάντα τὰ θελήματα αὐτοῦ καταλείψας, κρέμεται τῷ Θεῷ καὶ τῷ ἰδίῳ Πατρί· ἕνεκα τούτου πλείονα δόξαν ἔλαβε παρὰ τοὺς ἄλλους. Διὰ τοῦτο, ὦ τέκνα, καλὴ ἡ ὑπακοὴ ἡ διὰ τὸν Κύριον γινομένη. Ἠκούσατε, τέκνα, ἐκ μέρους, τοῦ κατορθώματος τούτου ὀλίγον τι ἴχνος. Ὦ ὑπακοὴ σωτηρία πάντων τῶν πιστῶν! ὦ ὑπακοή γεννήτρια πασῶν τῶν ἀρετῶν! ὦ ὑπακοή βασιλείας εὑρέτις! ὦ ὑπακοὴ οὐρανοὺς ἀνοίγουσα, καὶ ἀνθρώπους ἀπὸ γῆς ἀνάγουσα ὦ ὑπακοὴ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων τροφὲ, ἐξ ἧς ἐθήλασαν, καὶ διὰ σοῦ ἐτελειώθησαν ὦ ὑπακοὴ σύνοικε ἀγγέλων ### English translation (Claude) Abba Rufus said that one who lives in obedience to a spiritual father has a greater reward than one who withdraws alone in the desert. He also said that one of the Fathers related, saying, “I saw four ranks in heaven: the first rank, a man who is ill and gives thanks to God; the second rank, one who pursues hospitality and is devoted to it and serves; the third rank, one who pursues the desert and does not see a man; the fourth rank, one who lives in obedience to a father and submits to him for the Lord’s sake. And the one who was there for obedience wore a golden collar and a medallion, and had more glory than the others. And I,” he says, “said to the one guiding me, ‘How is it that this one, who is the least, has more glory than the others?’ He answered me, ‘Because the one who pursues hospitality does it by his own will; and the one in the desert withdrew by his own will; but this one who has obedience, having left all his own wills, hangs on God and on his own father; for this reason he received more glory than the others.’ Therefore, children, good is the obedience done for the Lord’s sake. You have heard, children, in part, a small trace of this achievement. O obedience, salvation of all the faithful! O obedience, mother of all the virtues! O obedience, finder of the kingdom! O obedience, opening the heavens and raising men from earth! O obedience, food of all the saints, from which they were nursed, and through you were made perfect! O obedience, companion of the angels!” ### Translation notes - A variant passage from Migne’s notes inside the sentence is removed. γοργόνα is a medallion (with a Gorgon’s head). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 103.2 (PG 65:389–391; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/103-2). ## Romanus 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/101-1/#p-104-1 - Source: PG 65:391 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Romanus never gave an order without resolving not to be angry if disobeyed. ### Greek text Μέλλοντος τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ῥωμανοῦ τελευτᾶν, συνήχθησαν πρὸς αὐτὸν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ, λέγοντες αὐτῷ· Πῶς ὀφείλομεν διοικηθῆναι; Ὁ δὲ γέρων εἶπεν· Οὐδέποτε οἶδα εἰπών τινι ὑμῶν ποιῆσαί τί ποτε, εἰ μὴ πρότερον ἐποίησα τὸν λογισμὸν, μὴ ὀργισθῆναι ἐὰν μὴ ποιήσῃ ὁ εἶπον γενέσθαι καὶ οὕτως ὅλον τὸν χρόνον ἡμῶν ᾠκήσαμεν μετ' εἰρήνης. Ἀρχὴ τοῦ Σ στοιχείου. ### English translation (Claude) When abba Romanus was about to die, his disciples gathered to him, saying, “How ought we to conduct ourselves?” The old man said, “I do not know that I ever told any of you to do anything without first making up my mind not to be angry if he did not do what I said; and so we have lived all our time in peace.” [Beginning of the letter S.] ### Translation notes - The last words are a heading of the printed collection. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 104.1 (PG 65:391; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/104-1). ## Sisoes 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-1 - Source: PG 65:391 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes shames a vengeful brother by praying that God need no longer defend them. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἀδικηθεὶς ὑπὸ ἑτέρου ἀδελφοῦ, ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἠδικήθην παρά τινος ἀδελφοῦ, κἀγὼ θέλω ἐμαυτὸν ἐκδικῆσαι. Ὁ δὲ γέρων παρεκάλει αὐτὸν, λέγων· Μὴ, τέκνον, κατάλειψον δὲ μᾶλλον τῷ Θεῷ τὰ τῆς ἐκδικήσεως. Ὁ δὲ ἔλεγεν· Οὐ παύσομαι ἕως οὗ ἐκδικήσω ἐμαυτόν. Εἶπε δὲ ὁ γέρων· Εὐξώμεθα, ἀδελφέ. Καὶ ἀναστὰς εἶπεν ὁ γέρων· Ὁ Θεὸς, οὐκ ἔτι σου ἔχομεν χρείαν φροντίζειν περὶ ἡμῶν· ἡμεῖς γὰρ τὴν ἐκδίκησιν ἑαυτῶν ποιοῦμεν. Τοῦτο οὖν ἀκούσας ὁ ἀδελφὸς, ἔπεσε παρὰ τοὺς πόδας τοῦ γέροντος, εἰπών· Οὐκ ἔτι δικάζομαι μετὰ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ, συγχώρησόν μοι, ἀββᾶ, ### English translation (Claude) A brother who had been wronged by another brother came to abba Sisoes and says to him, “I have been wronged by a brother, and I want to avenge myself.” The old man urged him, saying, “No, child, rather leave vengeance to God.” But he said, “I will not stop until I avenge myself.” The old man said, “Let us pray, brother.” And standing up the old man said, “O God, we no longer need you to take care of us; for we take our own vengeance.” Hearing this, the brother fell at the old man’s feet, saying, “I will no longer go to law with the brother; forgive me, abba.” ### Scripture references - Rom 12:19: echo, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Cf. Rom 12:19. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.1 (PG 65:391; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1). ## Sisoes 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-2 - Source: PG 65:391 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes says three cups at a feast are not too many unless Satan is present. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην, λέγων· Τί ποιήσω; ὅτι ἀπαντῶ εἰς τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, καὶ πολλάκις γίνεται ἀγάπη, καὶ κρατοῦσί με. Λέγει αὐτῳ ὁ γέρων· Κόπον ἔχει τὸ πρᾶγμα. Λέγει οὖν Ἀβραὰμ ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ· Ἐὰν γένηται ἀπάντησις ἐν σαββάτῳ ἢ ἐν Κυριακῇ, καὶ πίῃ ἀδελφὸς τρία ποτήρια, μὴ πολλά ἐστι; Λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ἐὰν οὐκ ἔστι Σατανᾶς, πολλὰ οὐκ ἔστιν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Sisoes, saying, “What shall I do? For I go to church, and often there is a love-feast, and they keep me.” The old man says to him, “The matter is difficult.” So Abraham his disciple says, “If there is a gathering on Saturday or Sunday, and a brother drinks three cups, is it not much?” The old man says, “If Satan is not there, it is not much.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.2 (PG 65:391; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-2). ## Sisoes 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-3 - Source: PG 65:391 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Aged Sisoes refuses to leave the desert, the only place without women. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ μαθητὴς τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σισόη πρὸς αὐτόν· Πάτερ, ἐγήρασας, ἀπέλθωμεν ἐγγὺς τῆς οἰκουμένης, λοιπόν. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ὅπου οὐκ ἔνι γυνή, ἐκεῖ ἀπέλθωμεν. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ· Καὶ ποῦ ἔστι τόπος ὁ μὴ ἔχων γυναῖκα, εἰ μὴ ἡ ἔρημος; Λέγει οὖν ὁ γέρων· Εἰς τὴν ἔρημον ἆρόν με. ### English translation (Claude) The disciple of abba Sisoes said to him, “Father, you have grown old; let us now go near the inhabited world.” The old man says to him, “Let us go where there is no woman.” His disciple says to him, “And where is there a place without a woman, except the desert?” So the old man says, “Take me to the desert.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.3 (PG 65:391; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-3). ## Sisoes 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-4 - Source: PG 65:391 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes was so absorbed that he could not remember whether he had eaten. ### Greek text Πολλάκις ἔλεγεν ὁ μαθητὴς τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σισόη· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, ἀνάστα, φάγωμεν. Ὁ δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ἔλεγεν Οὐκ ἐφάγομεν, τέκνον; Ὁ δέ· Οὐχὶ, Πάτερ. Καὶ ἔλεγεν ὁ γέρων· Εἰ οὐκ ἐφάγομεν, φέρε, καὶ ἐσθίομεν ### English translation (Claude) Often the disciple of abba Sisoes would say, “Abba, get up, let us eat.” And he would say to him, “Have we not eaten, child?” He said, “No, father.” And the old man would say, “If we have not eaten, bring it, and let us eat.” ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.4 (PG 65:391; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-4). ## Sisoes 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-5 - Source: PG 65:393 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: For thirty years Sisoes has prayed only to be guarded from his tongue, by which he still sins daily. ### Greek text Εἶπέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης μετὰ παῤῥησίας· Θάρσει· ἰδοὺ τριάκοντα ἔτη ἔχω, μηκέτι δεόμενος τοῦ Θεοῦ περὶ ἁμαρτίας ἀλλὰ τοῦτο εὔχομαι, λέγων· Κύριε Ἰησοῦ, σκέπασόν με ἀπὸ τῆς γλώσσης μου καὶ ἕως νῦν καθ' ἡμέραν πίπτω δι' αὐτῆς καὶ ἀμαρτάνω. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Sisoes said with boldness, “Take courage: look, for thirty years I no longer pray to God about sin, but I pray this, saying, ‘Lord Jesus, protect me from my tongue’; and until now every day I fall through it and sin.” ### Scripture references - Jas 3:2: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.5 (PG 65:393; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-5). ## Sisoes 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-6 - Source: PG 65:393 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The passions stay because one keeps their pledge; give it back and they leave. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς εἶπε τῷ ἀββᾷ Σισόῃ· Πῶς οὐκ ἀναχωροῦσι τὰ πάθη ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Τὰ σκεύη αὐτῶν ἔνδοθέν σού εἰσιν· δὸς αὐτοῖς τὸν ἀῤῥαβῶνα αὐτῶν, καὶ ὑπάγουσιν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother said to abba Sisoes, “Why do the passions not leave me?” The old man says to him, “Their goods are inside you; give them back their pledge, and they will go.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.6 (PG 65:393; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-6). ## Sisoes 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-7 - Source: PG 65:393 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes, proud of ten months’ solitude, meets a hunter who has seen no one for eleven. ### Greek text Ἐκάθητό ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης εἰς τὸ ὄρος τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀντωνίου καὶ χρονίσαντος τοῦ διακονητοῦ αὐτοῦ ἐλθεῖν πρὸς αὐτὸν, ἕως μηνῶν δέκα οὐκ εἶδεν ἄνθρωπον. Περιπατῶν δὲ ἐν τῷ ὄρει, εὑρίσκει Φαρανίτην ἀγρεύοντα ἄγρια ζῶα· καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Πόθεν ἔρχῃ; καὶ πόσον χρόνον ἔχεις ὧδε Ὁ δὲ ἔφη· Φύσει, ἀββᾶ, ἔχω ἕνδεκα μῆνας ἐν τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ, καὶ οὐκ εἶδον ἄνθρωπον εἰ μὴ σέ. Ακούσας δὲ ὁ γέρων ταῦτα, εἰσελθὼν εἰς τὸ κελλίον, ἔτυπτεν ἑαυτὸν, λέγων· Ἰδοὺ, Σισόη, ἐνόμισας τίποτε πεποιηκέναι· καὶ οὐδὲ ὡς ὁ κοσμικὸς οὗτος ἀκμὴν πεποίηκας. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Sisoes was living on the mountain of abba Antony, and since his servant was slow in coming to him, he did not see a man for up to ten months. Walking on the mountain, he finds a Pharanite hunting wild animals; and the old man says to him, “Where do you come from? And how long have you been here?” He said, “Truly, abba, I have been eleven months on this mountain, and I have not seen a man except you.” When the old man heard this, he went into his cell and beat himself, saying, “Look, Sisoes, you thought you had done something; and you have not yet done even as much as this layman.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.7 (PG 65:393; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-7). ## Sisoes 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-8 - Source: PG 65:393 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes accepts two cups of wine but refuses a third, warning of Satan. ### Greek text Ἐγένετο προσφορὰ εἰς τὸ ὄρος τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀντωνίου, καὶ εὑρέθη ἐκεῖ κνίδιον οἶνου καὶ λαβὼν εἷς τῶν γερόντων μικρὸν ἀγγεῖον καὶ ποτήριον, ἀπήνεγκε πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἔπιεν. Ὁμοίως καὶ δεύτερον, καὶ ἐδέξατο. Παρέσχεν αὐτῷ καὶ τρίτον, καὶ οὐκ ἔλαβεν, εἰπών Παῦσαι, ἀδελφὲ, ἢ οὐκ οἶδας ὅτι ἔστι Σατανᾶς; ### English translation (Claude) There was an offering on the mountain of abba Antony, and a jar of wine was found there; and one of the old men took a small vessel and a cup, brought it to abba Sisoes, and gave it to him, and he drank. Likewise a second, and he accepted. He offered him a third too, and he did not take it, saying, “Stop, brother; or do you not know that there is Satan?” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.8 (PG 65:393; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-8). ## Sisoes 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-9 - Source: PG 65:393 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes says that one of Antony’s thoughts would set him wholly on fire. ### Greek text Παρέβαλέ τις τῶν ἀδελφῶν πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην, εἰς τὸ ὄρος τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀντωνίου καὶ λαλούντων αὐτῶν, ἔλεγε τῷ ἀββᾷ Σισόῃ· "Ἄρτι οὐκ ἔφθασας εἰς τὰ μέτρα τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀντωνίου, Πάτερ; Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Εἰ εἶχον ἕνα τῶν λογισμῶν τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀντωνίου, ἐγινόμην ὅλος ὡς πῦρ· πλὴν οἶδα ἄνθρωπον, ὅτι μετὰ καμάτου δύναται βαστάσαι τὸν λογισμὸν αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) One of the brothers visited abba Sisoes on the mountain of abba Antony; and as they talked, he said to abba Sisoes, “Have you not now reached abba Antony’s measure, father?” And the old man says to him, “If I had one of abba Antony’s thoughts, I would become wholly like fire; but I know a man who with labor can bear his own thought.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.9 (PG 65:393; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-9). ## Sisoes 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-10 - Source: PG 65:393–395 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A father ready to drown his son at Sisoes’ command is stopped and becomes a proven monk through obedience. ### Greek text Ἦλθέ ποτέ τις τῶν Θηβαίων πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην θέλων γενέσθαι μοναχός. Καὶ ἠρώτησεν αὐτὸν ὁ γέρων, εἰ ἔχει τινὰ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ. Ὁ δὲ ἔφη· Ἔχω ἕνα υἱόν. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ὕπαγε, ῥίψον αὐτὸν εἰς τὸν ποταμὸν, καὶ τότε γίνῃ μοναχός. Ὡς οὖν ἀπῆλθε ῥίψαι αὐτὸν, ἔπεμψεν ὁ γέρων ἀδελφὸν τοῦ κωλῦσαι αὐτόν Λέγει ὁ ἀδελφός· Παῦσαι, τί ποιεῖς; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ὁ ἀββᾶς μοι εἶπε ρίψαι αὐτόν. Λέγει οὖν ὁ ἀδελφός· Ἀλλὰ πάλιν εἶπε, μὴ ῥίψῃς αὐτόν. Καὶ καταλιπὼν αὐτὸν, ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν γέροντα· καὶ γέγονε δόκιμος" μοναχὸς διὰ τὴν ὑπακοὴν αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Once a man from the Thebaid came to abba Sisoes wanting to become a monk. And the old man asked him whether he had anyone in the world. He said, “I have a son.” And the old man says to him, “Go, throw him into the river, and then you will become a monk.” As he went to throw him in, the old man sent a brother to stop him. The brother says, “Stop, what are you doing?” He said, “The abba told me to throw him in.” So the brother says, “But he has said again, ‘Do not throw him in.’” And leaving him, he came to the old man; and he became a proven monk because of his obedience. ### Scripture references - Gen 22:10: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - The command, recalling Abraham’s sacrifice (Gen 22), is a test of obedience, withdrawn before it is carried out; translated as written. A stray word is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.10 (PG 65:393–395; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-10). ## Sisoes 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-11 - Source: PG 65:395 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes says Satan rages more as his time nears; then he wrestles God in prayer for his fallen disciple, and teaches that humility is greater than constant remembrance of God. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην, λέγων· Ἆρα οὕτως ἐδίωκεν ὁ Σατανᾶς τοὺς ἀρχαίους; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Ἄρτι πλέον, ὅτι ὁ καιρὸς αὐτοῦ ἤγγισε, καὶ ταράσσεται. «β΄. Ἐπειράσθη ποτὲ Ἀβραὰμ ὁ μαθητὴς τοῦ ἀββα Σισόη ἀπὸ δαίμονος· καὶ εἶδεν ὁ γέρων ὅτι πέπτωκεν, καὶ ἀναστὰς ἐξέτεινε τὰς χεῖρας εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν, λέγων· Θεὸς, θέλεις, οὐ θέλεις, οὐκ ἀφῶ σε, ἐὰν μὴ αὐτὸν θεραπεύσῃς. Καὶ εὐθέως ἐθεραπεύθη. ιγ'. Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην, λέγων· Ὁρῶ ἐμαυτὸν, ὅτι ἡ μνήμη τοῦ Θεοῦ παραμένει μοι Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Οὐκ ἔστι μέγα, τὸ εἶναι τὸν λογισμόν σου μετὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ· μέγα δέ ἐστι, τὸ ἑαυτὸν ὁρᾷν ὑποκάτω πάσης τῆς κτίσεως. Τοῦτο γὰρ καὶ ὁ σωματικὸς κόπος ὁδηγεῖ εἰς τὸν τῆς ταπεινοφροσύνης τρόπον ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Sisoes, saying, “Did Satan persecute the ancients like this?” The old man says to him, “More now, for his time has drawn near, and he is troubled.” [12] Once Abraham, the disciple of abba Sisoes, was tempted by a demon; and the old man saw that he had fallen, and standing up he stretched out his hands to heaven, saying, “God, whether you will or not, I will not let you go unless you heal him.” And at once he was healed. [13] A brother asked abba Sisoes, saying, “I see that the remembrance of God stays with me.” The old man says to him, “It is not great that your thought is with God; but it is great to see oneself beneath all creation. For bodily labor too leads to the way of humility.” ### Scripture references - Rev 12:12: echo, medium confidence - Gen 32:26: echo, medium confidence ### Translation notes - The scan runs Sisoes 12 and 13 (numbered in the print) into this saying; marked [12] and [13]. Cf. Rev 12:12; Gen 32:26. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.11 (PG 65:395; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-11). ## Sisoes 14 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-14 - Source: PG 65:395 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: At his death Sisoes’ face shines as Antony, the prophets, the apostles, and Christ come for him. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σισόη, ὅτι ὅτε ἔμελλε τελευτᾷν, καθημένων τῶν Πατέρων πρὸς αὐτὸν ἔλαμψε τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος· καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ἰδοὺ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος ἦλθε. Καὶ μετὰ μικρὸν λέγει· Ἰδοὺ ὁ χορὸς τῶν προφητῶν ἦλθε. Καὶ πάλιν τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ περισσῶς ἔλαμψε· καὶ εἶπεν· Ἰδοὺ ὁ χορὸς τῶν ἀποστόλων ἦλθε. Καὶ ἐδιπλασίασε τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ πάλιν· καὶ ἰδοὺ αὐτὸς ὡς μετά τινων λαλῶν. Καὶ ἐδεήθησαν αὐτοῦ οἱ γέροντες, λέγοντες· Μετὰ τίνος ὁμιλεῖς, Πάτερ; Ὁ δὲ ἔφη· Ἰδοὺ ἄγγελοι ἦλθον λαβεῖν με, καὶ παρακαλῶ ἵνα ἀφεθῶ μετανοῆσαι μικρόν. Καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ οἱ γέροντες· Οὐ χρείαν ἔχεις μετανοῆσαι, Πάτερ. Εἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων Φύσει οὐκ οἶδα ἐμαυτὸν ὅτι ἔβαλον ἀρχήν. Καὶ ἔμαθον πάντες ὅτι τέλειός ἐστι. Καὶ πάλιν ἄφνω ἐγένετο τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος· καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν πάντες. Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Βλέπετε, ὁ Κύριος ἦλθε, καὶ λέγει· Φέρετέ μοι τὸ σκεῦος τῆς ἐρήμου. Καὶ εὐθέως παρέδωκε τὸ πνεῦμα. Καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἀστραπή· καὶ ἐπλήσθη ὅλος ὁ οἶκος εὐωδίας. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Sisoes that when he was about to die, while the Fathers were sitting with him, his face shone like the sun; and he says to them, “Look, abba Antony has come.” And after a little he says, “Look, the choir of the prophets has come.” And again his face shone more brightly; and he said, “Look, the choir of the apostles has come.” And his face doubled its brightness again; and look, he was as if speaking with someone. And the old men begged him, saying, “With whom are you speaking, father?” He said, “Look, angels have come to take me, and I am asking to be left to repent a little.” And the old men say to him, “You have no need to repent, father.” And the old man said to them, “Truly I do not know that I have made a beginning.” And all knew that he was perfect. And again suddenly his face became like the sun; and all were afraid. And he says to them, “See, the Lord has come, and says, ‘Bring me the vessel of the desert.’” And at once he gave up his spirit. And there was as it were lightning; and the whole house was filled with fragrance. ### Scripture references - Acts 9:15: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. “Vessel of the desert” echoes “chosen vessel” (Acts 9:15). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.14 (PG 65:395; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-14). ## Sisoes 15 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-15 - Source: PG 65:395–397 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes breaks his fast for guests despite a bishop’s concern for his reputation. ### Greek text Παρέβαλεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀδέλφιος ἐπίσκοπος Νειλουπόλεως πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην, εἰς τὸ ὄρος τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀντωνίου. Καὶ ὡς ἤμελλον ἐξελθεῖν, πρὶν αὐτοὺς ὁδεῦσαι, ἐποίησεν αὐτοὺς γεύσασθαι ἀπὸ πρωΐ· ἦν δὲ νηστεία. Καὶ ὡς ἔθηκαν τράπεζαν, ἰδοὺ ἀδελφοὶ κρούουσιν. Εἶπε δὲ τῷ μαθητῇ αὐτοῦ· Δὸς αὐτοῖς μικρὰν ἀθήραν, ὅτι ἀπὸ κόπου εἰσί. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀδέλφιος· Ἄφες τέως, ἵνα μὴ εἴπωσιν ὅτι ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης ἀπὸ πρωῖ ἐσθίει. Καὶ προσέσχεν αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων, καὶ λέγει τῷ ἀδελφῷ· Ὕπαγε, δὸς αὐτοῖς. Ὡς οὖν εἶδον τὴν ἀθήραν, εἶπον· Μὴ ξένους ἔχετε; μὴ ἄρα καὶ ὁ γέρων μεθ᾽ ὑμῶν ἐσθίει; Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ ἀδελφός· Ναί. Ἤρξαντο οὖν θλίβεσθαι, καὶ λέγειν Συγχωρήσῃ ὑμῖν ὁ Θεὸς, ὅτι τὸν γέροντα ἀφήκατε φαγεῖν ἄρτι. Ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ἐπὶ πολλὰς ἡμέρας ἔχει κοπιάσαι; Καὶ ἤκουσεν αὐτῶν ὁ ἐπίσκοπος, καὶ ἔβαλε μετάνοιαν τῷ γέροντι, λέγων· Συγχώρησόν μοι, ἀββᾶ, ὅτι ἀνθρώπινόν τι ἐλογισάμην· σὺ δὲ τὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐποίησας. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης· Ἐὰν μὴ ὁ Θεὸς δοξάσῃ ἄνθρωπον, ἡ δόξα τῶν ἀνθρώπων οὐδὲν ἐστιν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Adelphius, bishop of Nilopolis, visited abba Sisoes on the mountain of abba Antony. And when they were about to leave, before they set out, he made them eat in the morning; and it was a fast day. And as they set the table, look, some brothers knock. And he said to his disciple, “Give them a little gruel, for they are tired.” Abba Adelphius says to him, “Leave it for now, so that they may not say that abba Sisoes eats in the morning.” The old man looked at him and says to the brother, “Go, give it to them.” When they saw the gruel, they said, “Do you have guests? Is the old man eating with you too?” And the brother said to them, “Yes.” So they began to be distressed and to say, “May God forgive you for letting the old man eat now. Do you not know that he will have to labor for many days?” And the bishop heard them, and made a prostration to the old man, saying, “Forgive me, abba, for I thought in a human way; but you did what is of God.” And abba Sisoes says to him, “Unless God glorifies a man, the glory of men is nothing.” ### Translation notes - Variant notes and a saying of Poemen printed in Migne’s notes are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.15 (PG 65:395–397; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-15). ## Sisoes 16 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-16 - Source: PG 65:397 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes says he lives off others like his baskets, and visitors are edified by his humility. ### Greek text Παρέβαλόν τινες πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην ἀκοῦσαι παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ λόγον, καὶ οὐδὲν αὐτοῖς ἐλάλησε· πάντα δὲ ἔλεγε· Συγχωρήσατέ μοι. Ἰδόντες δὲ αὐτοῦ τὰ σπυρίδια, εἶπον τῷ μαθητῇ αὐτοῦ Ἀβραάμ· Τί ποιεῖτε τὰ σπυρίδια ταῦτα; Ὁ̔ δὲ εἶπεν· Ὧδε κἀκεῖ ἀναλίσκομεν αὐτά. Ακούσας δὲ ὁ γέρων, εἶπε· Καὶ Σισόης ἔνθεν κἀκεῖθεν ἐσθίει. Οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες, πάνυ ὠφελήθησαν· καὶ ἀπῆλθον μετὰ χαρᾶς, οἰκοδομηθέντες εἰς τὴν ταπείνωσιν αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) Some people visited abba Sisoes to hear a word from him, and he said nothing to them, but to everything said, “Forgive me.” Seeing his baskets, they said to his disciple Abraham, “What do you do with these baskets?” He said, “We use them here and there.” Hearing this, the old man said, “Sisoes too eats from here and there.” Hearing this, they were greatly helped, and went away with joy, edified by his humility. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.16 (PG 65:397; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-16). ## Sisoes 17 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-17 - Source: PG 65:397 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes tells Ammon not to prepare clever answers from Scripture but to gain purity of mind. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀμμὼν ὁ τῆς Ῥαϊθοῦ τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην· Ὅταν ἀναγινώσκω Γραφὴν, θέλει ὁ λογισμός μου φιλοκαλῆσαι λόγον, ἵνα ἔχω εἰς ἐπερώτημα. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Οὐκ ἔστι χρεία ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον ἐκ τῆς καθαρότητος τοῦ νοὸς κτῆσαι σεαυτῷ καὶ τὸ ἀμεριμνεῖν καὶ τὸ λέγειν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Ammon of Raithou asked abba Sisoes, “When I read Scripture, my thought wants to polish a word so that I may have it ready for questions.” The old man says to him, “There is no need; rather acquire for yourself, from purity of mind, both freedom from care and the power to speak.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.17 (PG 65:397; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-17). ## Sisoes 18 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-18 - Source: PG 65:397 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes unknowingly raises a dead boy by telling him to get up, and is grieved at the miracle. ### Greek text Παρέβαλέ ποτε κοσμικὸς ἔχων τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην, εἰς τὸ ὄρος τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀντωνίου· καὶ κατὰ τὴν ὁδὸν συνέβη ἀποθανεῖν τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ· καὶ οὐκ ἐταράχθη, ἀλλ᾽ ἔλαβεν αὐτὸν πρὸς τὸν γέροντα πίστει, καὶ προσέπεσε μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ ὡς μετάνοιαν ποιῶν, ὥστε εὐλογηθῆναι παρὰ τοῦ γέροντος., Καὶ ἀναστὰς ὁ πατὴρ κατέλιπε τὸ παιδίον πρὸς τοὺς πόδας τοῦ γέροντος, καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἔξω Ὁ̔ δὲ γέρων, νομίζων ὅτι μετάνοιαν αὐτῷ βάλλει, λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἀνάστα, ἔξελθε ἔξω· οὐ γὰρ ᾔδει ὅτι ἀπέθανε. Καὶ παραχρῆμα ἀνέστη καὶ ἐξῆλθε. Καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ, ἐξέστη· καὶ εἰσελθὼν προσεκύνησε τῷ γέροντι, καὶ ἀνήγγειλεν αὐτῷ τὸ πρᾶγμα. Ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ γέρων, ἐλυπήθη· οὐ γὰρ ἤθελε τοῦτο γενέσθαι. Παρήγγειλε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ, μηδενὶ εἰπεῖν, ἕως τῆς τελευτῆς τοῦ γέροντος. ### English translation (Claude) Once a layman with his son came to abba Sisoes on the mountain of abba Antony; and on the way his son happened to die; and he was not troubled, but took him to the old man in faith, and fell down with his son as if making a prostration, so as to be blessed by the old man. And getting up, the father left the child at the old man’s feet and went outside. The old man, thinking that he was making a prostration to him, says to him, “Get up, go outside”; for he did not know that he was dead. And at once he got up and went out. And seeing him, his father was amazed; and going in he bowed down to the old man and told him the matter. Hearing it, the old man was grieved; for he did not want this to happen. And his disciple charged him to tell no one until the old man’s death. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.18 (PG 65:397; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-18). ## Sisoes 19 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-19 - Source: PG 65:397–399 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes, who trusts God’s mercy, envies monks kept from sin by fear of hell. ### Greek text Τρεῖς γέροντες παρέβαλον τῷ ἀββᾷ Σισόῃ, ἀκούσαντες τὰ περὶ αὐτοῦ. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ πρῶτος· Πάτερ, πῶς δύναμαι σωθῆναι ἀπὸ τοῦ πυρίνου ποταμοῦ; Ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ δεύτερος Πάτερ, πῶς δύναμαι σωθῆναι ἀπὸ τοῦ βρυγμοῦ τῶν ὀδόντων, καὶ ἐκ τοῦ σκώληκος τοῦ ἀκοιμήτου; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ τρίτος· Πάτερ, τί ποιήσω, ὅτι ἡ μνήμη τοῦ ἐξωτέρου σκότους φονεύει με; Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ γέρων εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἐγὼ οὐδενὸς τούτων μέμνημαι· φιλεύσπλαγχνος γὰρ ἂν ὁ Θεὸς, ἐλπίζω ὅτι ποιεῖ μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ ἔλεος. Ἀκούσαντες δὲ τὸν λόγον τοῦτον οἱ γέροντες ἀπῆλθον λυπούμενοι. Μὴ θέλων δὲ ὁ γέρων ἐᾶσαι αὐτοὺς λυπουμένους ἀπελθεῖν, ὑποστρέψας αὐτοῖς εἶπε· Μακάριοί ἐστε, ἀδελφοί· ἐζήλωσα γὰρ ὑμᾶς. Ὁ πρῶτος γὰρ ὑμῶν εἶπε περὶ τοῦ πυρίνου ποταμοῦ, καὶ ὁ δεύτερος περὶ τοῦ Ταρτάρου, καὶ ὁ τρίτος περὶ τοῦ σκότους. Εἰ οὖν τοιαύτης μνήμης κυριεύει ὁ νοῦς ὑμῶν, ἀδύνατον ὑμᾶς ἁμαρτῆσαι. Τί δὲ ποιήσω ἐγὼ ὁ σκληροκάρδιος, μὴ συγχωρούμενος εἰδέναι ὅτι κἄν ἐστι κόλασις τοῖς ἀνθρώποις καὶ ἐκ τούτου, ἐν πάσῃ ὥρᾳ ἁμαρτάνω; Καὶ μετανοήσαντες αὐτῷ εἶπον· Καθάπερ ἠκούσαμεν, οὕτως καὶ εἴδομεν. ### English translation (Claude) Three old men visited abba Sisoes, having heard about him. And the first says to him, “Father, how can I be saved from the river of fire?” And he did not answer him. The second says to him, “Father, how can I be saved from the gnashing of teeth and from the sleepless worm?” The third says to him, “Father, what shall I do, for the remembrance of the outer darkness kills me?” And the old man answered them, “I remember none of these things; for since God is compassionate, I hope that he will show me mercy.” Hearing this word, the old men went away grieved. Not wanting to let them go away grieved, the old man turned back and said to them, “You are blessed, brothers; for I have envied you. The first of you spoke of the river of fire, the second of Tartarus, and the third of the darkness. If your mind is mastered by such remembrance, it is impossible for you to sin. But what shall I do, hard of heart as I am, not allowed to know even whether there is punishment for men, and for this reason I sin every hour?” And making a prostration they said, “As we have heard, so we have seen.” ### Scripture references - Dan 7:10: echo, medium confidence - Mark 9:48: allusion, medium confidence - Matt 8:12: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. The river of fire: Dan 7:10; the worm and gnashing of teeth: Mark 9:48; Matt 8:12. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.19 (PG 65:397–399; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-19). ## Sisoes 20 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-20 - Source: PG 65:399 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes holds that wholehearted repentance is accepted by God even in three days. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησάν τινες τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην, λέγοντες Ἐὰν πέσῃ ἀδελφὸς, οὐ χρείαν ἔχει μετανοῆσαι ἐνιαυτόν; Ὁ δὲ εἶπε· Σκληρόν ἐστι τὸ ῥῆμα. Οἱ δὲ φασιν· Ἀλλ' ἓξ μῆνας; Καὶ πάλιν εἶπε· Πολύ ἐστιν. Οἱ δὲ ἔφασκον· Ἕως τεσσαράκοντα ἡμερῶν; Πάλιν ἔφη· Πολύ ἐστι. Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Τί οὖν; ἐὰν πέσῃ ἀδελφὸς, καὶ εὑρεθῇ εὐθὺς ἀγάπη γινομένη, καὶ αὐτὸς εἰσέλθῃ εἰς τὴν ἀγάπην; Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ γέρων Οὐχί. Ἀλλὰ χρείαν ἔχει μετανοῆσαι ὀλίγας ἡμέρας. Πιστεύω γὰρ τῷ Θεῷ, ὅτι ὁλοψύχως ἐὰν μετανοήσῃ ὁ τοιοῦτος, καὶ εἰς τρεῖς ἡμέρας δέχεται αὐτὸν Θεός. ### English translation (Claude) Some asked abba Sisoes, saying, “If a brother falls, does he not need to do penance for a year?” He said, “The word is hard.” They say, “Then six months?” And again he said, “It is a lot.” They said, “Up to forty days?” Again he said, “It is a lot.” They say to him, “What then? If a brother falls, and a love-feast happens to be held at once, does he also go in to the love-feast?” The old man says to them, “No. But he needs to do penance for a few days. For I trust in God that if such a one repents with his whole soul, God accepts him even in three days.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.20 (PG 65:399; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-20). ## Sisoes 21 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-21 - Source: PG 65:399 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes answers chattering visitors only to correct their assumption that he never eats. ### Greek text Ἐλθόντος ποτὲ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σισόη εἰς τὸ Κλύσμα, παρέβαλον αὐτῷ κοσμικοὶ ἰδεῖν αὐτόν. Καὶ πολλὰ λαλησάντων αὐτῶν, οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς λόγον. Ὕστερον δὲ εἰς αὐτῶν εἶπε· Τί θλίβετε τὸν γέροντα; οὐκ ἐσθίει· διὰ τοῦτο οὐδὲ λαλεῖν δύναται. Ἀπεκρίθη ὁ γέρων· Ἐγὼ ὅτε γένηταί μοι χρεία, ἐσθίω. ### English translation (Claude) Once when abba Sisoes came to Clysma, some laymen visited him to see him. And though they talked much, he did not answer them a word. Afterward one of them said, “Why do you trouble the old man? He does not eat; that is why he cannot even speak.” The old man answered, “I eat when I need to.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.21 (PG 65:399; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-21). ## Sisoes 22 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-22 - Source: PG 65:399 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Cut off each passion the moment it comes. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωσὴφ τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην, λέγων· Διὰ πόσου χρόνου ὀφείλει ἄνθρωπος ἐκκόπτειν τὰ πάθη; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Τοὺς χρόνους θέλεις μαθεῖν; Λέγει ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰωσήφ· Ναί. Λέγει οὖν ὁ γέρων· Οἴαν ὥραν ἔρχεται τὸ πάθος, εὐθέως κόψον αὐτό. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Joseph asked abba Sisoes, saying, “In how much time ought a man to cut off the passions?” The old man says to him, “Do you want to learn the times?” Abba Joseph says, “Yes.” So the old man says, “Whatever hour the passion comes, cut it off at once.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.22 (PG 65:399; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-22). ## Sisoes 23 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-23 - Source: PG 65:399 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes answers with Daniel’s fast from desirable food. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην τὸν τῆς Πέτρας περὶ πολιτείας. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Εἶπε Δανιήλ Ἄρτον ἐπιθυμιῶν οὐκ ἔφαγον. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Sisoes of Petra about the way of life. And the old man says to him, “Daniel said, ‘I ate no bread of desire.’” ### Scripture references - Dan 10:3: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Dan 10:3 (Theodotion). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.23 (PG 65:399; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-23). ## Sisoes 24 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-24 - Source: PG 65:399 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes always kept his cell door shut. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σισόη, ὅτι καθήμενος εἰς τὸ κελλίον πάντοτε τὴν θύραν ἔκλειεν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Sisoes that when he sat in his cell he always kept the door shut. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.24 (PG 65:399; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-24). ## Sisoes 25 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-25 - Source: PG 65:399 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes answers Arians only by having a book of Athanasius read aloud. ### Greek text Ἦλθόν ποτε Ἀρειανοὶ πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην εἰς τὸ ὄρος τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀντωνίου, καὶ ἤρξαντο καταλαλεῖν τῶν ὀρθοδόξων. Ὁ δὲ γέρων οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς οὐδὲν· καὶ φωνήσας τὸν ἑαυτοῦ μαθητὴν, εἶπεν· Ἀβραὰμ, φέρε μοι τὸ βιβλίον τοῦ ἁγίου Ἀθανασίου, καὶ ἀνάγνωθι αὐτό. Καὶ σιωπώντων αὐτῶν, ἐγνώσθη ἡ αἵρεσις αὐτῶν. Καὶ ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοὺς μετ' εἰρήνης. ### English translation (Claude) Once some Arians came to abba Sisoes on the mountain of abba Antony, and began to speak against the orthodox. The old man answered them nothing; but calling his disciple, he said, “Abraham, bring me the book of holy Athanasius, and read it.” And as they fell silent, their heresy was exposed. And he sent them away in peace. ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. The book of Athanasius is not identified. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.25 (PG 65:399; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-25). ## Sisoes 26 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-26 - Source: PG 65:399–401 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Aged Sisoes grieves at leaving the desert, where freedom of thought alone sufficed him. ### Greek text Ἦλθέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀμοῦν ἀπὸ Ῥαϊθοῦ εἰς τὸ Κλύσμα, παραβαλεῖν τῷ ἀββᾷ Σισόῃ· καὶ βλέπων αὐτὸν θλιβόμενον, ὅτι ἀφῆκε τὴν ἔρημον, λέγει αὐτῷ· Τί θλίβῃ, ἀββᾶ; τί γὰρ ἡδύνω ἀπάρτι ποιῆσαι εἰς τὴν ἔρημον, ούτως γηράσας; Ὁ δὲ γέρων προσἐσχεν αὐτῷ μετὰ στυφότητος, λέγων· Τί μοι λέγεις, Ἀμοῦν; οὐκ ἤρκει γάρ μοι ἡ ἐλευθερία μόνη τοῦ λογισμοῦ μου ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Amoun came from Raithou to Clysma to visit abba Sisoes; and seeing him distressed because he had left the desert, he says to him, “Why are you distressed, abba? What could you do now in the desert, having grown so old?” The old man looked at him severely, saying, “What are you saying to me, Amoun? Was not the freedom of my thought alone in the desert enough for me?” ### Translation notes - A variant note is removed; τί γὰρ ἡδύνω is corrupt and translated by sense. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.26 (PG 65:399–401; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-26). ## Sisoes 27 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-27 - Source: PG 65:401 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes forbids his disciple to enter while he is occupied with God. ### Greek text Ἐκάθητό ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ αὐτοῦ· καὶ κρούσαντος τοῦ μαθητοῦ αὐτοῦ, ἔκραξεν ὁ γέρων, λέγων· Φύγε Ἀβραάμ, μὴ εἰσέλθῃς, ἄρτι οὐ σχολάζει τὰ ὧδε. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Sisoes was sitting in his cell; and when his disciple knocked, the old man cried out, saying, “Flee, Abraham, do not come in; I have no time for things here now.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.27 (PG 65:401; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-27). ## Sisoes 28 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-28 - Source: PG 65:401 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes left crowded Scetis for Antony’s mountain, where he stayed seventy-two years. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην, λέγων· Πῶς κατέλιπες τὴν Σκῆτιν μετὰ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ὢρ ὢν, καὶ ἦλθες καὶ ἐκάθισας ὧδε; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων. Ἐν τῷ ἄρξασθαι πληθύνεσθαι τὴν Σκῆτιν, καὶ ἀκούσας ἐγὼ ὅτι ἐκοιμήθη ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀντώνιος, ἀνέστην καὶ ἦλθον ὧδε εἰς τὸ ὄρος καὶ εὑρὼν τὰ ὧδε ἡσυχάζοντα, μικρὸν ἐκάθισα χρόνον. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφός· Πόσον χρόνον ἔχεις ὧδε; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Εἰσὶν ἑβδομηκονταδύο ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Sisoes, saying, “How did you leave Scetis, where you were with abba Hor, and come and settle here?” The old man says to him, “When Scetis began to grow crowded, and I heard that abba Antony had fallen asleep, I got up and came here to the mountain; and finding things here quiet, I settled for a little while.” The brother says to him, “How long have you been here?” The old man says to him, “Seventy-two [years].” ### Translation notes - The last word (“years”) is lost in the scan. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.28 (PG 65:401; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-28). ## Sisoes 29 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-29 - Source: PG 65:401 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Do not command one who cares for you. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης· Ὅταν ἡ ἄνθρωπος τὴν φροντίδα σου ποιούμενος, οὐ δεῖ σε διατάξαι. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Sisoes said, “When there is a man taking care of you, you must not give him orders.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.29 (PG 65:401; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-29). ## Sisoes 30 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-30 - Source: PG 65:401 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes tells of twelve monks who walked twelve miles astray rather than shame their guide. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην λέγων· Ἐὰν περιπατῶμεν ἐν ὁδῷ, καὶ πλανηθῇ ὁ ὁδηγῶν ἡμᾶς, χρεία εἰπεῖν αὐτῷ; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Οὐχί. Λέγει οὖν ὁ ἀδελφός· Ἀλλ᾿ ἀφῶμεν αὐτὸν πλανῆσαι ἡμᾶς; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Τί οὖν; λαβεῖν ἔχεις ῥάβδον δεῖραι αὐτόν; Ἐγὼ οἶδα ἀδελφοὺς ὅτι περιεπάτουν, καὶ ὁ ὁδηγῶν αὐτοὺς ἐπλανήθη τὴν νύκτα· ἦσαν δὲ δώδεκα, καὶ πάντες ᾔδεισαν ὅτι ἐπλανῶντο· καὶ ἡγωνίσαντο ἕκαστος τοῦ μὴ εἰπεῖν. Ἡμέρας δὲ γενομένης, μαθὼν ὁ ὁδηγῶν αὐτοὺς ὅτι ἐπλανήθησαν τὴν ὁδὸν, λέγει αὐτοῖς· Συγχωρήσατέ μοι, ὅτι ἐπλανήθην. Καὶ εἶπον πάντες· Καὶ ἡμεῖς ᾔδειμεν, ἀλλ᾽ ἐσιωπήσαμεν. Ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας ἐθαύμασε, λέγων, ὅτι Ἕως θανάτου ἐγκρατεύονται οἱ ἀδελφοὶ τοῦ μὴ λαλεῖν. Καὶ ἐδόξασε τὸν Θεόν. Τὸ δὲ μῆκος τῆς ὁδοῦ ἧς ἐπλανήθησαν, μίλια δώδεκα. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Sisoes, saying, “If we are walking on a road and the one guiding us goes astray, must we tell him?” The old man says to him, “No.” So the brother says, “Then shall we let him lead us astray?” The old man says to him, “What then? Will you take a stick and beat him? I know some brothers who were walking, and the one guiding them went astray at night; there were twelve, and all knew that they were going astray; and each struggled not to say so. When day came, the guide, learning that they had lost the way, says to them, ‘Forgive me, I went astray.’ And all said, ‘We knew too, but we kept silent.’ Hearing this he marveled, saying, ‘The brothers keep themselves from speaking even to death.’ And he glorified God. The length of the way they had gone astray was twelve miles.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.30 (PG 65:401; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-30). ## Sisoes 31 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-31 - Source: PG 65:401 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Robbed by Saracens, Sisoes shares grains of barley from camel dung, keeping half for his brother. ### Greek text Ἦλθόν ποτε Σαρακηνοί, καὶ ἐξέδυσαν τὸν γέροντα καὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ἐξελθόντων αὐτῶν εἰς τὴν ἔρημον ἵνα εὕρωσί τι βρώσιμον, εὗρεν ὁ γέρων βόλβιτα καμήλων, καὶ κλάσας εὗρε κοκκία κριθῶν· ἔτρωγε δὲ ἓν κοκκὶν, καὶ τὸ ἓν εἰς τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ ἐτίθει. Ἐλθὼν δὲ ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ, εὖρεν αὐτὸν ἐσθίοντα, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ ἀγάπη, ὅτι εὗρες βρώσιμον, καὶ μόνος ἐσθίεις, καὶ οὐκ ἐφώνησάς με; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης· Οὐκ ἠδίκησά σε, ἀδελφέ ἰδοὺ τὸ μέρος σου ἐν τῇ χειρί μου ἐτήρησα. ### English translation (Claude) Once Saracens came and stripped the old man and his brother. And when they went out into the desert to find something to eat, the old man found camel dung, and breaking it open he found grains of barley; and he ate one grain, and put one in his hand. His brother came and found him eating, and says to him, “Is this love, that you found something to eat and eat alone, and did not call me?” Abba Sisoes says to him, “I have not wronged you, brother; look, I kept your share in my hand.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.31 (PG 65:401; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-31). ## Sisoes 32 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-32 - Source: PG 65:401–403 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes visits a sick elder on a fast day without breaking his fast. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σισόη τοῦ Θηβαίου, ὅτι ἔμεινεν εἰς τὸν Καλαμῶνα τοῦ Ἀρσενοΐτου· καὶ ἄλλος γέρων ἠσθένει εἰς τὴν ἄλλην λαύραν. Καὶ ὡς ἤκουσεν, ἐθλίβη. Ἐπειδὴ δὲ δύο δύο ἐνήστευε, καὶ ἦν ἡ ἡμέρα ἐν ᾗ οὐκ ἤσθιε· καὶ ὅτε ἤκουσε, λέγει τῷ λογισμῷ· Τί ποιήσω; ἐὰν ἀπέλθω, μήπως ἀναγκάσωσί με οἱ ἀδελφοὶ φαγεῖν· καὶ ἐὰν παραμείνω εἰς τὴν αὔριον, μήποτε τελευτήσῃ. Πλὴν τοῦτο ποιῶ, ὑπάγω καὶ οὐκ ἐσθίω. Καὶ οὕτως ἀπῆλθε νῆστις, πληρώσας τὴν ἐντολὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ· καὶ τὴν διὰ τὸν Θεὸν πολιτείαν αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔλυσεν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Sisoes the Theban that he lived at Calamon in the Arsinoite district; and another old man was ill in the other laura. And when he heard, he was distressed. Since he fasted two days at a time, and it was a day on which he did not eat, when he heard, he says to his thought, “What shall I do? If I go, perhaps the brothers will force me to eat; and if I wait until tomorrow, perhaps he will die. But I will do this: I will go and not eat.” And so he went fasting, fulfilling the commandment of God; and he did not break his way of life for God. ### Scripture references - Matt 25:36: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.32 (PG 65:401–403; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-32). ## Sisoes 33 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-33 - Source: PG 65:403 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: An angel forbids Sisoes to hang over a cliff to defeat sleep. ### Greek text Διηγήσατό τις τῶν Πατέρων περὶ τοῦ ἀββα Σισόη τοῦ Καλαμῶνος, ὅτι θέλων ποτὲ νικῆσαι τὸν ὕπνον, ἐκρέμασεν ἑαυτὸν ἀπὸ τοῦ κρημνοῦ τῆς Πέτρας· καὶ ἐλθὼν ἄγγελος ἔλυσε αὐτὸν, καὶ παρήγγειλεν αὐτὸν μηκέτι τοῦτο ποιῆσαι, μήτε ἄλλοις παραδοῦναι τὴν τοιαύτην παράδοσιν. ### English translation (Claude) One of the Fathers related of abba Sisoes of Calamon that once, wanting to overcome sleep, he hung himself from the cliff of Petra; and an angel came and released him, and commanded him not to do this any more nor to hand on such a practice to others. ### Translation notes - The saying records an extreme ascetic practice forbidden by an angel; translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.33 (PG 65:403; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-33). ## Sisoes 34 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-34 - Source: PG 65:403 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes forbids killing even an attacker, teaching to blame trials on one’s sins and credit good to God. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησέ τις τῶν Πατέρων τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην, λέγων· Ἐὰν κάθημαι ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, καὶ ἔλθῃ βάρβαρος, φονεῦσαί με θέλων, καὶ δυνηθῶ πρὸς αὐτὸν, φονεύσω αὐτόν; Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων· Οὐχὶ· ἀλλὰ παράδος αὐτὸν τῷ Θεῷ. Οἷος γὰρ ἂν πειρασμὸς ἔλθῃ ἀνθρώπῳ, λεγέτω, ὅτι Διὰ τὰς ἁμαρτίας μου τοῦτο συνέβη· ἐὰν δὲ ἀγαθὸν, Οἰκονομίᾳ Θεοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) One of the Fathers asked abba Sisoes, saying, “If I am living in the desert and a barbarian comes wanting to kill me, and I am able to overcome him, shall I kill him?” And the old man said, “No; but hand him over to God. For whatever temptation comes to a man, let him say, ‘This happened because of my sins’; and if something good, ‘By the providence of God.’” ### Translation notes - An unwritten saying in Migne’s notes (“Where I find you, there I will judge you”) merged into the sentence is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.34 (PG 65:403; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-34). ## Sisoes 35 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-35 - Source: PG 65:403 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes answers that he reads the New Testament and returns to the Old. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην τὸν Θηβαῖον, λέγων· Εἰπέ μοι ῥῆμα. Καὶ λέγει· Τί σοι ἔχω εἰπεῖν; ὅτι εἰς τὴν Καινὴν Γραφὴν ἀναγινώσκω, καὶ εἰς τὴν Παλαιὰν ἀνακάμπτω. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Sisoes the Theban, saying, “Tell me a word.” And he says, “What have I to tell you? I read the New Scripture, and I turn back to the Old.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.35 (PG 65:403; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-35). ## Sisoes 36 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-36 - Source: PG 65:403 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes of Petra says he lies down and rises in sin. ### Greek text Ὁ αὐτὸς ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην τὸν τῆς Πέτρας, τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης ὁ Θηβαῖος. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ἐγὼ εἰς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν κοιμῶμαι, καὶ εἰς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἐγείρομαι. ### English translation (Claude) The same brother asked abba Sisoes of Petra about the saying abba Sisoes the Theban had spoken. And the old man says, “I lie down in sin, and I rise up in sin.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.36 (PG 65:403; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-36). ## Sisoes 37 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-37 - Source: PG 65:403 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes hurried from church to his cell and was called possessed, though he was doing God’s work. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σισόη τοῦ Θηβαίου, ὅτι ὡς ἀπέλυεν ἡ ἐκκλησία, ἔφευγεν εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ἔλεγον· Δαίμονα ἔχει. Αὐτὸς δὲ τὸ ἔργον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐποίει. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Sisoes the Theban that when the church was dismissed, he fled to his cell. And they said, “He has a demon.” But he was doing the work of God. ### Scripture references - John 10:20: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.37 (PG 65:403; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-37). ## Sisoes 38 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-38 - Source: PG 65:403 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes tells a fallen brother to keep rising, since one departs in the state in which one is found. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην, λέγων Τι ποιήσω, ἀββᾶ, ὅτι πέπτωκα; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἀνάστα πάλιν. Λέγει ὁ ἀδελφός· Ἀνέστην, καὶ πάλιν πέπτωκα. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ἀνάστα πάλιν καὶ πάλιν. Εἶπεν οὖν ὁ ἀδελφός· Ἕως πότε; Λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ἕως ἂν καταληφθῇς εἴτε ἐν τῷ ἀγαθῷ, εἴτε ἐν τῷ πτώματι· ἐν ᾧ γὰρ εὑρίσκεται ἄνθρωπος, ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ πορεύεται ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Sisoes, saying, “What shall I do, abba, for I have fallen?” The old man says to him, “Get up again.” The brother says, “I got up, and I fell again.” And the old man says, “Get up again and again.” So the brother said, “Until when?” The old man says, “Until you are taken either in the good or in the fall; for in whatever a man is found, in that he also departs.” ### Scripture references - Prov 24:16: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.38 (PG 65:403; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-38). ## Sisoes 39 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-39 - Source: PG 65:405 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes held that one should not do the work one enjoys. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε γέροντα, λέγων Τί ποιήσω; ὅτι θλίβομαι διὰ τὸ ἐργόχειρον. Ἀγαπῶ γὰρ τὴν σειρὰν, καὶ οὐ δύναμαι αὐτὴν ἐργάσασθαι. Λέγει ὁ γέρων, ὅτι ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης ἔλεγεν, ὡς οὐ χρὴ τὸ ἀναπαῦον ἡμᾶς ἔργον ἐργάζεσθαι. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked an old man, saying, “What shall I do? For I am troubled about my handiwork. I love making rope, and I cannot do it.” The old man says that abba Sisoes used to say that one ought not to work at the work that pleases us. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.39 (PG 65:405; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-39). ## Sisoes 40 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-40 - Source: PG 65:405 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Seek God himself, not his dwelling place. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης· Ζήτει τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ μὴ ζήτει ποῦ κατοικεῖ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Sisoes said, “Seek God, and do not seek where he dwells.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.40 (PG 65:405; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-40). ## Sisoes 41 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-41 - Source: PG 65:405 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Shame and fearlessness often lead to sin. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι αἰδὼς καὶ ἀφοβία πολλάκις φέρει τὴν ἁμαρτίαν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said that shame and fearlessness often bring sin. ### Extrabiblical texts - Sir 4:21 (Sirach): echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Cf. Sir 4:21. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.41 (PG 65:405; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-41). ## Sisoes 42 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-42 - Source: PG 65:405 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Silence and humility, with patient waiting on God, keep a monk standing. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην, λέγων· Τί ποιήσω; Λέγει αὐτῷ· Τὸ πρᾶγμα ὁ ζητεῖς, τὸ σφόδρα σιωπᾶν, καὶ ταπείνωσις. Γέγραπται γάρ· Μακάριοι οἱ ἐμμένοντες ἐν αὐτῷ. Οὕτω δύνασαι στῆναι. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Sisoes, saying, “What shall I do?” He says to him, “What you are seeking is to keep strict silence, and humility. For it is written, ‘Blessed are those who wait for him.’ So you can stand.” ### Scripture references - Isa 30:18: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Isa 30:18 (LXX). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.42 (PG 65:405; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-42). ## Sisoes 43 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-43 - Source: PG 65:405 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Accept contempt, renounce your will, and you will have rest. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης· Γενοῦ ἐξουδενωμένος, καὶ τὸ θέλημά σου ὀπίσω βάλε, καὶ γενοῦ ἀμέριμνος· καὶ ἕξεις ἀνάπαυσιν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Sisoes said, “Become despised, put your will behind you, and become free of care; and you will have rest.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.43 (PG 65:405; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-43). ## Sisoes 44 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-44 - Source: PG 65:405 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Each is tempted by his own desire. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην, λέγων· Τί ποιήσω διὰ τὰ πάθη; Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· "Εκαστος ἡμῶν πειράζεται ὑπὸ τῆς ἰδίας ἐπιθυμίας. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Sisoes, saying, “What shall I do about the passions?” And the old man says, “Each of us is tempted by his own desire.” ### Scripture references - Jas 1:14: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Jas 1:14. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.44 (PG 65:405; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-44). ## Sisoes 45 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-45 - Source: PG 65:405 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes tells a brother to imitate what he sees rather than ask for words. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Σισόην, λέγων· Εἰπέ μοι ῥῆμα. Ὁ δὲ ἔφη· Τί με ἀναγκάζεις λαλῆσαι ἀργῶς; Ἰδοὺ ὁ βλέπεις ποίησον. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Sisoes, saying, “Tell me a word.” He said, “Why do you force me to speak idly? Look, do what you see.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.45 (PG 65:405; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-45). ## Sisoes 46 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-46 - Source: PG 65:405 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes refuses any other helper while his disciple is away. ### Greek text Απῆλθέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἀβραὰμ ὁ μαθητὴς τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σισόη εἰς διακονίαν, καὶ ἐπὶ ἡμέρας οὐκ ἤθελε διακονηθῆναι ὑπὸ ἄλλου τινὸς, λέγων· Ἔχω ἀφεῖναι ἄνθρωπον ἄλλον ποιῆσαι συνήθειαν μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ, ἐκτὸς τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ μου; Καὶ οὐ κατεδέξατο ἕως οὗ ἦλθεν ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ, ὑπομείνας τὸν κόπον. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Abraham, the disciple of abba Sisoes, went away on an errand, and for days the old man would not be served by anyone else, saying, “Shall I allow another man to form a familiarity with me, besides my brother?” And he would not accept until his disciple came, enduring the hardship. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.46 (PG 65:405; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-46). ## Sisoes 47 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-47 - Source: PG 65:405 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes laments that he cannot find one man to speak with. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σισόη, ὅτι καθημένου αὐτοῦ, ἔκραξε μεγάλῃ τῇ φωνῇ· Ὦ ταλαιπωρία Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ· Τί ἔχεις, Πάτερ; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἕνα ἄνθρωπον ζητῶ λαλῆσαι, καὶ οὐχ εὑρίσκω. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Sisoes that as he was sitting, he cried out with a loud voice, “O wretchedness!” His disciple says to him, “What is wrong, father?” The old man says to him, “I seek one man to speak with, and I do not find him.” ### Scripture references - Jer 5:1: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.47 (PG 65:405; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-47). ## Sisoes 48 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-48 - Source: PG 65:405 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Monks forgo visiting Sisoes rather than risk contact with Meletian schismatics. ### Greek text Ἐξῆλθέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης ἐκ τοῦ ὄρους τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀντωνίου, εἰς τὸ ἐξώτερον ὄρος τῆς Θηβαΐδος, καὶ ᾤκησεν ἐκεῖ. Ἦσαν δὲ ἐκεῖ Μελιτιανοὶ οἰκοῦντες ἐν τῷ Καλαμῶνι τοῦ Ἀρσενοΐτου. Τινὲς δὲ ἀκούσαντες ὅτι ἐξῆλθεν εἰς τὸ ἐξώτερον ὄρος, ἐπεθύμησαν αὐτὸν θεάσασθαι· ἔλεγον δέ· Τί ποιήσομεν εἰς τὸ ὄρος γάρ εἰσι Μελιτιανοί. Οἴδαμεν δὲ ὅτι ὁ γέρων οὐ βλάπτεται ἐξ αὐτῶν· ἡμεῖς δὲ μήποτε θέλοντες συντυχεῖν τῷ γέροντι, ἐμπέσωμεν εἰς πειρασμὸν τῶν αἱρετικῶν. Καὶ ἕνεκεν τοῦ μὴ συναντῆσαι τοῖς αἱρετικοῖς, οὐκ ἀπῆλθον ἰδεῖν τὸν γέροντα. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Sisoes went out from the mountain of abba Antony to the outer mountain of the Thebaid, and lived there. There were Meletians living there at Calamon in the Arsinoite district. Some, hearing that he had gone out to the outer mountain, wanted to see him; but they said, “What shall we do? For there are Meletians on the mountain. We know that the old man is not harmed by them; but we, wanting to meet the old man, may fall into temptation from the heretics.” And so as not to meet the heretics, they did not go to see the old man. ### Translation notes - The Meletians were a schismatic church in Egypt from the early fourth century; the saying calls them heretics. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.48 (PG 65:405; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-48). ## Sisoes 49 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-49 - Source: PG 65:405–407 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Dying, Sisoes asks the angels for time to repent, content even to groan a little over his soul. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σισόη, ὅτι ἡσθένησε· καὶ καθημένων γερόντων πρὸς αὐτὸν ἐλάλησέ τισι. Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Τί βλέπεις, ἀββᾶ; Καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ὁρῶ τινας ἐλθόντας ἐπ᾿ ἐμὲ, καὶ παρακαλῶ αὐτοὺς ἵνα ἐάσωσί με μικρὸν μετανοῆσαι. Λέγει αὐτῷ εἷς τῶν γερόντων· Καὶ ἐὰν ἐάσωσί σε, ἀπάρτι δύνασαι χρησιμεῦσαι εἰς μετάνοιαν Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Εἰ δὲ οὐ δύναμαι ποιῆσαι, ἀλλὰ στενάζω ἐπάνω τῆς ψυχῆς μου μικρὸν, καὶ ἀρκεῖ μοι. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Sisoes that he fell ill; and while old men were sitting with him, he spoke with some beings. They say to him, “What do you see, abba?” And he says to them, “I see some who have come for me, and I beg them to let me repent a little.” One of the old men says to him, “And if they let you, can you now be of use for repentance?” The old man says to him, “Even if I cannot do it, I groan over my soul a little, and that is enough for me.” ### Translation notes - A passage of Migne’s notes (on the agraphon “In whatever I find you, in that I will judge you,” and on Ezekiel) inside the sentence is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.49 (PG 65:405–407; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-49). ## Sisoes 50 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-50 - Source: PG 65:407 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes drives off a demon at the door by declaring himself the same Sisoes, well or ill. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σισόη, ὅτι ὅτε ἦλθεν εἰς τὸ Κλύσμα, ἠσθένησε· καὶ καθημένου αὐτοῦ μετὰ τοῦ μαθητοῦ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν κέλλαν, ἰδοὺ κροῦσμα γέγονεν εἰς τὴν θύραν. Καὶ νοήσας ὁ γέρων, λέγει τῷ μαθητῇ αὐτοῦ Ἀβραάμ· Εἰπὲ τῷ κρούσαντι Ἐγὼ Σισόης εἰς τὸ ὄρος, ἐγὼ Σισόης εἰς τὸ χαράδριον. Ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας ἀφανὴς ἐγένετο. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Sisoes that when he came to Clysma he fell ill; and as he sat with his disciple in the cell, look, there was a knock at the door. And the old man, perceiving, says to his disciple Abraham, “Tell the one who knocked, ‘I am Sisoes on the mountain; I am Sisoes on my bed.’” Hearing this, he vanished. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.50 (PG 65:407; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-50). ## Sisoes 51 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-51 - Source: PG 65:407 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sisoes and his disciple tell each other their faults. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης ὁ Θηβαῖος τῷ μαθητῇ αὐτοῦ· Εἰπέ μοι τί βλέπεις εἰς ἐμὲ, κἀγώ σοι λέγω τί βλέπω εἰς σέ. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ· Σὺ καλὸς τῷ νῷ, καὶ σκληρὸς μικρόν. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων• Σὺ καλὸς εἶ, ἀλλὰ χαῦνος τῷ νῷ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Sisoes the Theban said to his disciple, “Tell me what you see in me, and I will tell you what I see in you.” His disciple says to him, “You are good in mind, and a little harsh.” The old man says to him, “You are good, but slack in mind.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.51 (PG 65:407; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-51). ## Sisoes 52 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-105-52 - Source: PG 65:407 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: At Easter Sisoes agrees to eat bread, but nothing more, with the brothers. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σισόη τοῦ Θηβαίου, ὅτε οὐκ ἤσθιεν ἄρτον. Καὶ εἰς τὴν ἑορτὴν τοῦ Πάσχα ἔβαλον αὐτῷ μετάνοιαν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ, ἵνα φάγῃ μετ᾿ αὐτῶν. Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἕν ἔχω ποιῆσαι· ἢ ἄρτον ἔχω μεταλαβεῖν, ἢ ὅσα ἐποιήσατε φαγία. Οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ· "Ἄρτον μόνον φάγε. Ὁ δε ἐποίησεν οὕτως. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Sisoes the Theban that he did not eat bread. And at the feast of Easter the brothers made a prostration to him that he might eat with them. And he answered them, “I can do one thing: either take bread, or the dishes you have made.” They said to him, “Eat only bread.” And he did so. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 105.52 (PG 65:407; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-52). ## Silvanus 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-106-1 - Source: PG 65:407 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Silvanus explains that eating out of courtesy does not end their own fast. ### Greek text Παρέβαλέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Σιλουανὸς καὶ ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ Ζαχαρίας εἰς μοναστήριον· καὶ ἐποίησαν αὐτοὺς γεύσασθαι μικρὸν πρὸ τοῦ ὁδεῦσαι. Καὶ ἐξελθόντων αὐτῶν, εὖρεν ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ ὕδωρ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, καὶ ἤθελε πιεῖν. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ζαχαρία, νηστεία σήμερον Ὁ δὲ λέγει· Οὐκ ἐφάγομεν, Πάτερ; Λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ἐκεῖνο τὸ, ἐφάγομεν τῆς ἀγάπης ἦν· ἡμεῖς δὲ τὴν ἑαυτῶν νηστείαν κρατήσωμεν, τέκνον. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Silvanus and his disciple Zacharias visited a monastery; and they made them eat a little before setting out. When they had gone out, his disciple found water on the road and wanted to drink. And the old man says to him, “Zacharias, it is a fast day today.” He says, “Did we not eat, father?” The old man says, “That eating was for love’s sake; but let us keep our own fast, child.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 106.1 (PG 65:407; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/106-1). ## Silvanus 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-106-2 - Source: PG 65:407 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: After a vision of many monks condemned and many laymen saved, Silvanus mourns and hides his face from the world. ### Greek text Ἡ αὐτὸς καθεζόμενός ποτε μετὰ ἀδελφῶν, ἐγένετο ἐν ἐκστάσει, καὶ πίπτει ἐπὶ πρόσωπον· καὶ μετὰ πολὺ ἀναστὰς ἔκλαιε. Καὶ παρεκάλεσαν αὐτὸν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ, λέγοντες· Τί ἔχεις, Πάτερ; Ὁ δὲ ἐσιώπα καὶ ἔκλαιεν. Ἀναγκαζόντων δὲ αὐτῶν εἰπεῖν, εἶπεν· Ἐγὼ εἰς τὴν κρίσιν ἡρπάγην· καὶ εἶδον πολλοὺς τοῦ γένους ἡμῶν ἀπερχομένους εἰς κόλασιν, καὶ πολλοὺς τῶν κοσμικῶν ἀπερχομένους εἰς βασιλείαν. Καὶ ἐπένθει ὁ γέρων, καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν ἐξελθεῖν ἐκ τοῦ κελλίου αὐτοῦ. Εἰ δὲ καὶ ἠναγκάζετο ἐξελθεῖν ἔσκεπε τῷ κουκουλίῳ τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ, λέγων· Τί θέλω ἰδεῖν τὸ φῶς τοῦτο τὸ πρόσκαιρον, καὶ οὐδὲν ἔχον ὄφελος; ### English translation (Claude) Once the same was sitting with the brothers, and he fell into ecstasy and fell on his face; and after a long time he got up and wept. And the brothers begged him, saying, “What is wrong, father?” But he kept silent and wept. When they pressed him to speak, he said, “I was carried off to the judgment; and I saw many of our kind going away to punishment, and many people of the world going away to the kingdom.” And the old man mourned, and would not go out of his cell. And if he was forced to go out, he covered his face with his hood, saying, “Why do I want to see this temporary light, which has no profit?” ### Scripture references - Matt 21:31: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - A variant passage from Migne’s notes at the end is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 106.2 (PG 65:407; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/106-2). ## Silvanus 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-106-3 - Source: PG 65:409 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Silvanus, found in ecstasy for hours, says he was caught up to see the glory of God. ### Greek text "Αλλοτε εἰσῆλθεν ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ Ζαχαρίας, καὶ εὗρεν αὐτὸν ἐν ἐκστάσει, καὶ αἱ χεῖρες αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν ἡπλωμέναι. Καὶ κλείσας τὴν θύραν ἐξῆλθε. Καὶ ἐλθὼν περὶ ὥραν ἕκτην καὶ ἐννάτην, εὖρεν αὐτὸν οὕτως. Καὶ περὶ ὥραν δεκάτην ἔκρουσε· καὶ εἰσελθὼν, εὖρεν αὐτὸν ἡσυχάζοντα, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Τί ἔχεις σήμερον, Πάτερ; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ἠσθένησα σήμερον, τέκνον. Ὁ δὲ κρατήσας τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ, ἔλεγεν· Οὐ μὴ σε ἑάσω, ἐὰν μὴ εἴπῃς μοι τί εἶδες. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἐγὼ εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν ἡρπάγην, καὶ εἶδον τὴν δόξαν τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἐκεῖ ἱστάμην ἕως ἄρτι, καὶ νῦν ἀπελύθην. ### English translation (Claude) Another time his disciple Zacharias went in and found him in ecstasy, with his hands stretched out to heaven. And closing the door he went out. And coming back around the sixth and the ninth hour, he found him the same. And around the tenth hour he knocked; and going in he found him at rest, and says to him, “What is wrong with you today, father?” He said, “I was ill today, child.” But he seized his feet and said, “I will not let you go unless you tell me what you saw.” The old man says to him, “I was carried off to heaven, and I saw the glory of God, and I stood there until now, and now I have been released.” ### Scripture references - 2 Cor 12:2: echo, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Cf. 2 Cor 12:2–4. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 106.3 (PG 65:409; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/106-3). ## Silvanus 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-106-4 - Source: PG 65:409 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Silvanus waters his garden with his face hooded so as not to be distracted by the trees. ### Greek text Καθεζομένου ποτὲ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σιλουανοῦ εἰς τὸ ὄρος τὸ Σινὰ, ἀπῆλθεν ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ Ζαχαρίας εἰς διακονίαν, καὶ λέγει τῷ γέροντι· Ἀπόλυσον τὸ ὕδωρ, καὶ πότισον τὸν κῆπον. Ὁ δὲ ἐξελθὼν ἔσκεπε τὴν ὄψιν αὐτοῦ τῷ κουκουλίῳ, καὶ μόνον τὰ ἴχνη αὐτοῦ ἔβλεπε. Παρέβαλε δὲ ἀδελφὸς αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ. καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν ἀπὸ μακρόθεν, κατενόει τί ἐποίησεν. Εἰσελθὼν δὲ ὁ ἀδελφὸς πρὸς αὐτὸν, εἶπεν· Εἰπέ μοι, ἀββᾶ, τί τὸ πρόσωπόν σου κατεσκέπασας τῷ κουκουλίῳ, καὶ οὕτως τὸν κῆπον ἐπότιζες; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Τέκνον, ἵνα μὴ ἴδωσιν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου τὰ δένδρα, καὶ ἀπασχοληθῇ ὁ νοῦς μου ἀπὸ τῆς ἐργασίας αὐτοῦ εἰς αὐτά. ### English translation (Claude) Once when abba Silvanus was living on Mount Sinai, his disciple Zacharias went away on an errand, and says to the old man, “Let out the water and water the garden.” He went out and covered his face with his hood, and looked only at his footsteps. A brother came by at that hour, and seeing him from a distance, observed what he was doing. The brother went in to him and said, “Tell me, abba, why did you cover your face with your hood and water the garden like that?” The old man says to him, “Child, so that my eyes may not see the trees, and my mind be distracted from its work by them.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 106.4 (PG 65:409; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/106-4). ## Silvanus 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-106-5 - Source: PG 65:409 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Silvanus teaches a visitor who scorned manual work that Mary needs Martha. ### Greek text Παρέβαλέ τις ἀδελφὸς τῷ ἀββᾷ Σιλουανῷ εἰς τὸ ὄρος τὸ Σινά· καὶ ἰδὼν τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ἐργαζομένους, εἶπε τῷ γέροντι· Μὴ ἐργάζεσθε τὴν βρῶσιν τὴν ἀπολλυμένην. Μαρία γὰρ τὴν ἀγαθὴν μερίδα ἐξελέξατο. Λέγει ὁ γέρων τῷ μαθητῇ αὐτοῦ· Ζαχαρία, δὸς τῷ ἀδελφῷ βιβλίον, καὶ βάλε αὐτὸν εἰς κελλίον μηδὲν ἔχον. Ὅτε οὖν ἐγένετο ἡ ὥρα τῆς ἐννάτης, προσεῖχε τῇ θύρᾳ, εἱ ἄρα πέμπουσι καλέσαι αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ φαγεῖν. Ὡς δὲ οὐδεὶς ἐκάλεσεν αὐτὸν, ἀναστὰς ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν γέροντα, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Οὐκ ἔφαγον οἱ ἀδελφοὶ σήμερον, ἀββᾶ; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων Ναί. Εἶπε δὲ Διατί οὐκ ἐκαλέσατέ με; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ἐπειδὴ ἄνθρωπος πνευματικὸς εἶ, καὶ οὐ χρείαν ἔχεις τῆς βρώσεως ταύτης· ἡμεῖς δὲ σαρκικοὶ ὄντες θέλομεν φαγεῖν, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ἐργαζόμεθα· σὺ δὲ τὴν καλὴν μερίδα ἐξελέξω, ἀναγινώσκων ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν, καὶ οὐ θέλεις φαγεῖν σαρκικὴν βρῶσιν. Καὶ ὡς ἤκουσε ταῦτα, ἔβαλε μετάνοιαν, λέγων· Συγχώρησόν μοι, ἀββᾶ. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Πάντως χρείαν ἔχει καὶ ἡ Μαρία τῆς Μάρθας· διὰ γὰρ τῆς Μάρθας καὶ ἡ Μαρία ἐγκωμιάζεται. ### English translation (Claude) A brother visited abba Silvanus on Mount Sinai; and seeing the brothers working, he said to the old man, “Do not labor for the food that perishes. For Mary has chosen the good portion.” The old man says to his disciple, “Zacharias, give the brother a book, and put him in a cell with nothing in it.” When the ninth hour came, he kept watching the door to see whether they would send to call him to eat. When no one called him, he got up and came to the old man and says to him, “Have the brothers not eaten today, abba?” The old man says to him, “Yes.” He said, “Why did you not call me?” The old man says to him, “Because you are a spiritual man and do not need this food; but we, being fleshly, want to eat, and that is why we work; but you have chosen the good portion, reading all day, and do not want to eat fleshly food.” When he heard this, he made a prostration, saying, “Forgive me, abba.” The old man says to him, “Mary certainly needs Martha too; for it is through Martha that Mary is praised.” ### Scripture references - John 6:27: quotation, high confidence - Luke 10:42: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotations of John 6:27 and Luke 10:42. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 106.5 (PG 65:409; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/106-5). ## Silvanus 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-106-6 - Source: PG 65:409 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Silvanus never admitted a thought that would anger God. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησάν ποτε τὸν ἀββᾶν Σιλουανὸν, λέγοντες· Ποίαν πολιτείαν εἰργάσω, Πάτερ ἵνα λάβῃς τὴν φρόνησιν ταύτην; Καὶ ἀπεκρίθη· Οὐδέποτε ἀφῆκα εἰς τὴν καρδίαν μου λογισμὸν παροργίζοντα τὸν Θεόν. ### English translation (Claude) Once they asked abba Silvanus, saying, “What way of life did you practice, father, to receive this wisdom?” And he answered, “I have never let into my heart a thought that angers God.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 106.6 (PG 65:409; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/106-6). ## Silvanus 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-106-7 - Source: PG 65:411 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Silvanus gives a man his work in return for a donkey-load of bread. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σιλουανοῦ, ὅτι ἐκάθισεν εἰς κελλίον κρυφῆ, ἔχων μικρὰ ἐρεβίνθια, καὶ ἐποίησεν εἰς αὐτὰ ἔργον ἑκατὸν κόσκινα. Καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄνθρωπος ἦλθεν ἀπὸ Αἰγύπτου, ἔχων ὄνον μεστὸν ἄρτων· καὶ κρούσας εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ ἔθηκε. Λαβὼν οὖν ὁ γέρων τὰ κόσκινα, ἐγέμισε τὸν ὄνον, καὶ ἀπέλυσεν αὐτόν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Silvanus that he lived secretly in a cell, having a few chickpeas, and he made with them the work of a hundred sieves. And look, a man came from Egypt with a donkey full of loaves; and knocking at his cell he set them down. So the old man took the sieves, loaded the donkey, and sent him away. ### Translation notes - The first sentence is obscure in the Greek (perhaps he worked for a hundred measures with a few chickpeas to live on); translated literally. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 106.7 (PG 65:411; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/106-7). ## Silvanus 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-106-8 - Source: PG 65:411 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Silvanus makes his monks move the garden fence back rather than enlarge their holdings. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σιλουανοῦ, ὅτι ἐξῆλθεν ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ Ζαχαρίας χωρὶς αὐτοῦ· καὶ λαβὼν τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς, ἔστρεψε τὸν φραγμὸν τοῦ κήπου, καὶ μείζονα αὐτὸν ἐποίησε. Μαθὼν οὖν ὁ γέρων, ἔλαβε τὸ μηλωτάριον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐξῆλθε, καὶ λέγει τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς· Εὔξασθε περὶ ἐμοῦ. Οἱ δὲ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν, ἔπεσον εἰς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ, λέγοντες· Εἰπὲ ἡμῖν τί ἐστιν ὁ ἔχεις, Πάτερ. Ὁ δὲ πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἔφη· Οὐκ εἰσέρχομαι ἔσω, οὐ καταβαίνει τὸ μηλωτάριον ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ, ἕως οὗ ἐνέγκητε τὸν φραγμὸν εἰς τὸν πρῶτον αὐτοῦ τόπον. Οἱ δὲ πάλιν ἔστρεψαν τὸν φραγμὸν, καὶ ἐποίησαν αὐτὸν ὡς ἦν. Καὶ οὕτως ὁ γέρων ὑπέστρεψε εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Silvanus that his disciple Zacharias went out without him; and taking the brothers, he moved the fence of the garden and made it larger. When the old man learned it, he took his sheepskin and went out, and says to the brothers, “Pray for me.” Seeing him, they fell at his feet, saying, “Tell us what is wrong, father.” He said to them, “I will not go in, the sheepskin will not come off me, until you put the fence back in its first place.” And they moved the fence back again and made it as it was. And so the old man returned to his cell. ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 106.8 (PG 65:411; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/106-8). ## Silvanus 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-106-9 - Source: PG 65:411 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Silvanus works as God’s slave and leaves his feeding to his master. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Σιλουανός· Ἐγὼ δοῦλός είμι,. καὶ ὁ κύριός μου εἶπέ μοι· Ἐργάζου τὸ ἔργον μου κἀγώ σε τρέφω· πόθεν δὲ, μὴ ζήτει· εἴτε ἔχω, εἴτε κλέπτω, εἴτε δανείζομαι, σὺ μὴ ζήτει· ἐργάζου μόνον, καὶ τρέφω σε. Ἐγὼ οὖν ἐὰν ἐργάζωμαι, ἐκ τοῦ μισθοῦ μου ἐσθίω· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἐργάζωμαι, ἀγάπην ἐσθίω. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Silvanus said, “I am a slave, and my master said to me, ‘Do my work, and I will feed you; but do not ask from where; whether I have it, or steal it, or borrow it, do not ask; only work, and I will feed you.’ So if I work, I eat from my wages; and if I do not work, I eat alms.” ### Scripture references - Matt 6:33: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 106.9 (PG 65:411; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/106-9). ## Silvanus 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-106-10 - Source: PG 65:411 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Woe to one whose reputation exceeds his deeds. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Οὐαὶ τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳ, ὃς ἔχει τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ μεῖζον τῆς ἐργασίας αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Woe to that man whose name is greater than his work.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 106.10 (PG 65:411; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/106-10). ## Silvanus 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-106-11 - Source: PG 65:411 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A true worker can begin anew every hour. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Μωϋσῆς τὸν ἀββᾶν Σιλουανὸν, λέγων· Δύναται ἄνθρωπος καθ' ἡμέραν βάλλειν ἀρχήν; Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων· Ἐὰν ἐστιν ἐργάτης δύναται καὶ καθ' ὥραν βάλλειν ἀρχήν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Moses asked abba Silvanus, saying, “Can a man make a beginning every day?” And the old man said, “If he is a worker, he can make a beginning even every hour.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 106.11 (PG 65:411; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/106-11). ## Silvanus 12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-106-12 - Source: PG 65:411 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Silvanus’s face and body shone like an angel’s. ### Greek text Εἶπέ τις τῶν Πατέρων, ὅτι συνέτυχε ποτέ τις τῷ ἀββᾷ Σιλουανῷ, καὶ ἑωρακὼς αὐτοῦ τὸ πρόσωπον καὶ τὸ σῶμα ὡς ἀγγέλου λάμψαν, ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον. Ἔλεγε δὲ καὶ ἄλλους τινὰς ἐσχηκέναι τοῦτο τὸ χάρισμα. ### English translation (Claude) One of the Fathers said that someone once met abba Silvanus, and seeing his face and body shining like an angel, fell on his face. And he said that some others too had had this gift. ### Scripture references - Acts 6:15: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 106.12 (PG 65:411; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/106-12). ## Simon 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-107-1 - Source: PG 65:411 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Simon climbs a palm tree and tells a visiting magistrate there is no anchorite there. ### Greek text Ἦλθέ ποτε ἄρχων ἰδεῖν τὸν ἀββᾶν Σίμωνα. Ο δὲ ἀκούσας ἔλαβε τὴν ζώνην, καὶ ἀπῆλθεν εἰς φοίνικα καθαρίσαι αὐτόν. Οἱ δὲ ἐλθόντες, ἔκραξαν· Γέρον, ποῦ ἔστιν ὁ ἀναχωρητής; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε ἀναχωρητής. Καὶ ἀκούσαντες ἀνεχώρησαν. ### English translation (Claude) Once a magistrate came to see abba Simon. Hearing of it, he took his belt and went up a palm tree to clean it. When they came, they shouted, “Old man, where is the anchorite?” He said, “There is no anchorite here.” And hearing this, they went away. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 107.1 (PG 65:411; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/107-1). ## Simon 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-107-2 - Source: PG 65:411–413 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Simon sits eating bread and cheese at his gate so that a visiting magistrate despises him and leaves. ### Greek text Ἄλλοτε πάλιν ἦλθεν ἄλλος ἄρχων ἰδεῖν αὐτόν. Καὶ προλαβόντες οἱ κληρικοὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ· Ἀ̓ββᾶ, ἑτοίμασον, ὅτι ὁ ἄρχων ἀκούων περὶ σοῦ, ἔρχεται εὐλογηθῆναι παρὰ σοῦ. Ὁ δὲ εἶπε· Ναὶ, ἐγὼ ἑτοιμάζω ἑαυτόν. Φορέσας οὖν τὸ κεντόνιον αὐτοῦ, καὶ λαβὼν ἄρτον καὶ τυρὸν ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ ἀναστὰς εἰς τὸν πυλῶνα ἐκάθισεν ἐσθίων. Καὶ ἐλθὼν ὁ ἄρχων μετὰ τῆς τάξεως αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν, ἐξουθένησαν αὐτὸν, λέγοντες Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ ἀναχωρητὴς περὶ οὗ ἠκούσαμεν; Καὶ εὐθέως ἀνέκαμψαν. ### English translation (Claude) Another time another magistrate came to see him. And the clergy went ahead and said to him, “Abba, get ready, for the magistrate, hearing about you, is coming to be blessed by you.” He said, “Yes, I will get myself ready.” So putting on his patchwork garment and taking bread and cheese in his hands, he went and sat at the gate eating. When the magistrate came with his retinue and they saw him, they despised him, saying, “Is this the anchorite we heard about?” And at once they turned back. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 107.2 (PG 65:411–413; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/107-2). ## Sopatrus 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/105-1/#p-108-1 - Source: PG 65:413 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sopatrus forbids women in the cell, apocryphal books, and disputes about the image of God. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησέ τις τὸν ἀββᾶν Σώπατρον λέγων· Δός μοι ἐντολὴν, ἀββᾶ, καὶ φυλάξω αὐτήν. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Μὴ εἰσέλθῃ γυνὴ εἰς τὸ κελλίον σου, καὶ μὴ ἀναγνώσῃς ἀπόκρυφα· καὶ μὴ ἐκζητήσῃς περὶ τῆς εἰκόνος· τοῦτο γὰρ οὐκ ἔστιν αἵρεσις, ἀλλ᾿ ἰδιωτεία καὶ φιλονεικία ἀμφοτέρων τῶν μερῶν· ἀδύνατον γὰρ καταληφθῆναι τὸ πρᾶγμα τοῦτο ὑπὸ πάσης τῆς κτίσεως. ### English translation (Claude) Someone asked abba Sopatrus, saying, “Give me a commandment, abba, and I will keep it.” He said to him, “Let no woman come into your cell, and do not read apocryphal books; and do not investigate about the image; for this is not heresy, but ignorance and contentiousness on both sides; for this matter cannot be grasped by all creation.” ### Scripture references - Gen 1:27: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - “The image” is probably the image of God in man, disputed in the Anthropomorphite controversy of ca. 400; Sopatrus treats the dispute as ignorance on both sides, not heresy. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 108.1 (PG 65:413; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/108-1). ## Sarmatas 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-109-1 - Source: PG 65:413 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A repentant sinner is better than a self-righteous man who has not sinned. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Σαρματᾶς Θέλω ἄνθρωπον ἁμαρτήσαντα, εἰ οἶδεν ὅτι ἥμαρτε, καὶ μετανοεῖ, ὑπὲρ ἄνθρωπον μὴ ἁμαρτήσοντα, καὶ ἔχοντα ἑαυτὸν ὡς δικαιοσύνην ποιοῦντα. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Sarmatas said, “I prefer a man who has sinned, if he knows that he has sinned and repents, to a man who has not sinned and regards himself as doing righteousness.” ### Scripture references - Luke 18:14: echo, medium confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 109.1 (PG 65:413; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1). ## Sarmatas 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-109-2 - Source: PG 65:413 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sarmatas’ long fasts have given him only mastery over sleep. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σαρματᾶ, ὅτι πολλάκις ἐλάμβανε τεσσαράκοντα ἡμέρας τῇ βουλῇ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ποιμένος· καὶ ὡς οὐδὲν ἐπληροῦντο αἱ ἡμέραι ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ. Ἦλθεν οὖν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμὴν πρὸς αὐτὸν, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Εἰπέ μοι, τί ἑώρακας ποιῶν τὸν τοσοῦτον κόπον; Ὁ δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ἔλεγεν· Οὐδὲν πλέον. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Οὐκ ἀφῶ σε, ἐὰν μὴ μοι εἴπῃς. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ἕν μόνον εὗρον, ὅτι ἐὰν εἴπω τῷ ὕπνῳ, Ὕπαγε, ὑπάγει, καὶ ἐὰν εἴπω, Ἐλθὲ, ἔρχεται. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Sarmatas that he often spent forty days on the counsel of abba Poemen, and the days were completed as nothing before him. So abba Poemen came to him and says to him, “Tell me, what have you seen from doing so much labor?” He said to him, “Nothing more.” Abba Poemen says to him, “I will not let you go unless you tell me.” And he said, “One thing only I have found: that if I say to sleep, ‘Go,’ it goes; and if I say, ‘Come,’ it comes.” ### Translation notes - The forty days are probably forty-day fasts or periods of seclusion. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 109.2 (PG 65:413; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-2). ## Sarmatas 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-109-3 - Source: PG 65:413 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Another elder explains that Sarmatas meant to eat and sleep only at the limit of need. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Σαρματᾶν, λέγων· Οἱ λογισμοὶ λέγουσί μοι· Μὴ ἐργάσῃ, ἀλλὰ φάγε, πίε, κοιμῶ. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Ὅτε πεινᾶς, φάγε· ὅτε διψᾶς, πίε· ὅτε νυστάζεις, κοιμῶ. Ἄ̓́λλος δὲ γέρων κατ' εὐκαιρίαν ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν ἀδελ– φόν· καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἀδελφὸς ἃ εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Σαρματᾶς. Λέγει οὖν αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Τοῦτό ἐστιν ὅ εἶπέ σοι ὁ ἀββᾶς Σαρματᾶς· Ὅταν πεινᾷς τόνῳ, καὶ διψήσῃς ἕως μηκέτι δυνηθῇς, φάγε τότε καὶ πίε• καὶ ὅταν ἀγρυπνήσῃς πάνυ πολὺ καὶ νυστάξῃς, κοιμῶ. Τοῦτό ἐστιν ὁ ἔλεγέ σοι γέρων. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Sarmatas, saying, “My thoughts tell me, ‘Do not work, but eat, drink, and sleep.’” The old man says to him, “When you are hungry, eat; when you are thirsty, drink; when you are sleepy, sleep.” Another old man happened to come to the brother; and the brother told him what abba Sarmatas had said. So the old man says to him, “This is what abba Sarmatas told you: when you are intensely hungry and thirsty until you can bear it no longer, then eat and drink; and when you have kept vigil very long and are sleepy, sleep. This is what the old man told you.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 109.3 (PG 65:413; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-3). ## Sarmatas 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-109-4 - Source: PG 65:413 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sarmatas tells a brother to refuse his thoughts urging him to go out. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησε πάλιν ὁ αὐτὸς ἀδελφὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Σαρματᾶν, λέγων· Οἱ λογισμοὶ λέγουσί μοι· Ὕπαγε ἕξω, καὶ παράβαλε τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς. Καὶ λέγει ὁ γέρων· Τοῦτο μὴ ἀκούσῃς αὐτῶν, ἀλλ᾽ εἰπέ Ἰδοὺ ἤκουσά σου τὸ πρῶτον, τοῦτο δὲ οὐ δύναμαί σου ἀκοῦσαι. ### English translation (Claude) The same brother again asked abba Sarmatas, saying, “My thoughts tell me, ‘Go out and visit the brothers.’” And the old man says, “Do not listen to them in this, but say, ‘Look, I listened to you the first time, but this I cannot listen to.’” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 109.4 (PG 65:413; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-4). ## Serapion 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-110-1 - Source: PG 65:413–415 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Serapion converts a prostitute by spending the night praying the whole Psalter for her; she becomes a recluse. ### Greek text Ἦλθέ ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Σεραπίων παρερχόμενος διὰ κώμης τινὸς τῆς Αἰγύπτου· καὶ εἶδέ τινα πόρνην ἑστῶσαν εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτῆς· καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ ὁ γέρων· Προσδόκησόν με ὀψέ· θέλω γὰρ ἐλθεῖν πρὸς σὲ, καὶ ποιῆσαι τὴν νύκτα ταύτην ἔγγιστά σου. Ἡ δὲ ἀποκριθεῖσα, εἶπε· Καλῶς, ἀββᾶ. Καὶ ἡτοιμάσθη, καὶ ἔστρωσε τὴν κλίνην Οψίας δὲ γενομένης, ἦλθεν ὁ γέρων πρὸς αὐτὴν καὶ εἰσελθὼν εἰς τὸ κελλίον, λέγει αὐτῇ· Ἡτοίμασας τὴν κλίνην; Ἡ δὲ εἶπε· Ναὶ, ἀββᾶ. Καὶ ἔκλεισε τὴν θύραν, καὶ λέγει αὐτῇ Μεῖνον ὀλίγον, ἐπειδὴ νόμον ἔχομεν, ἕως οὗ ποιήσω αὐτόν. Καὶ ἤρξατο ὁ γέρων τῆς συνάξεως αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἀρξάμενος τὸ ψαλτήριον, κατὰ ψαλμὸν ἐποίει εὐχὴν, δεόμενος τοῦ Θεοῦ ὑπὲρ αὐτῆς, ὅπως μετανοήσῃ καὶ σωθῇ. Καὶ εἰσήκουσεν αὐτοῦ ὁ Θεός. Καὶ ἕστηκεν ἡ γυνὴ τρέμουσα καὶ εὐχομένη ἐγγὺς τοῦ γέροντος. Καὶ ὡς ἐτέλεσεν ὁ γέρων ὅλον τὸ ψαλτήριον, ἔπεσεν ἡ γυνὴ χαμαί. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἀρξάμενος τοῦ Ἀποστόλου, εἶπε πολὺ ἐξ αὐτοῦ· καὶ οὕτως ἐπλήρωσε τὴν σύναξιν. Κατανυγεῖσα οὖν ἡ γυνὴ, καὶ νοήσασα ὅτι οὐ δι᾽ ἁμαρτίαν ἦλθε πρὸς αὐτὴν, ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα σώσῃ αὐτῆς τὴν ψυχὴν, προσέπεσεν αὐτῷ, λέγουσα· Ποίησον ἀγάπην, ἀββᾶ, καὶ ὅπου δύναμαι εὐαρεστῆσαι τῷ Θεῷ, ὀδήγησόν με. Τότε ὁ γέρων ὡδήγησεν αὐτὴν εἰς μοναστήριον παρθένων, καὶ παρέδωκεν αὐτὴν τῇ Ἀμμᾷ, καὶ εἶπε· Λάβε τὴν ἀδελφὴν ταύτην, καὶ μὴ θήσεις αὐτῇ ζυγὸν ἢ ἐντολὴν ὡς ταῖς ἀδελφαῖς· ἀλλ᾽ εἴ τι θέλει, δὸς αὐτῇ· καὶ ὡς θέλει, συγχώρησον αὐτῇ πορεύεσθαι. Καὶ ὡς ἐποίησεν ὀλίγας ἡμέρας, εἶπεν· Ἐγὼ ἁμαρτωλός είμι, θέλω διὰ δύο ἐσθίειν. Καὶ μετ' ὀλίγας ἡμέρας εἶπεν· Ἐγὼ πολλὰς ἁμαρτίας ἔχω, θέλω διὰ τεσσάρων ἡμερῶν ἐσθίειν. Καὶ μετ' ὀλίγας ἡμέρας παρεκάλεσε τὴν Ἀμμᾶν λέγουσα· Ἐπειδὴ πολλὰ ἐλύπησα τὸν Θεὸν ἐν ταῖς ἀνομίαις μου, ποίησον ἀγάπην, καὶ βάλε με εἰς κελλίον, καὶ ἀνάφραξον αὐτὸ, καὶ δι᾽ ὀπῆς δίδου μοι μικρὸν ἄρτον καὶ τὸ ἐργόχειρον. Καὶ ἐποίησεν αὐτῇ ἡ Ἀμμᾶς οὕτως. Καὶ εὐηρέστησε τῷ Θεῷ τὸν ἐπίλοιπον χρόνον τῆς ζωῆς αὐτῆς. ### English translation (Claude) Once abba Serapion was passing through a village of Egypt; and he saw a prostitute standing in her room; and the old man said to her, “Expect me this evening; for I want to come to you and spend this night near you.” She answered, “Very well, abba.” And she got ready and made the bed. When evening came, the old man came to her, and going into the room he says to her, “Have you made the bed?” She said, “Yes, abba.” And he shut the door and says to her, “Wait a little, since we have a rule, until I fulfill it.” And the old man began his office; and beginning the Psalter, at each psalm he prayed, entreating God for her, that she might repent and be saved. And God heard him. And the woman stood trembling and praying near the old man. And when the old man had finished the whole Psalter, the woman fell to the ground. And the old man, beginning the Apostle, recited much of it; and so he completed the office. Pierced to the heart, and understanding that he had not come to her for sin but to save her soul, the woman fell down before him, saying, “Do me a kindness, abba, and lead me where I can please God.” Then the old man led her to a monastery of virgins and handed her over to the amma, and said, “Take this sister, and do not put a yoke or a commandment on her as on the sisters; but whatever she wants, give her; and as she wishes, let her go about.” After she had spent a few days, she said, “I am a sinner; I want to eat every two days.” And after a few days she said, “I have many sins; I want to eat every four days.” And after a few days she begged the amma, saying, “Since I have grieved God much by my iniquities, do me a kindness and put me in a cell and wall it up, and give me a little bread and my handiwork through a hole.” And the amma did so for her. And she pleased God for the rest of her life. ### Translation notes - The story is told as written. “The Apostle” is the Pauline epistles. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 110.1 (PG 65:413–415; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/110-1). ## Serapion 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-110-2 - Source: PG 65:415 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Serapion rebukes a brother whose shelf of books could have fed widows and orphans. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Σαραπίωνα, λέγων· Εἰπέ μοι λόγον. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Τί σοι ἔχω εἰπεῖν; ὅτι ἔλαβες τὰ τῶν χηρῶν καὶ ὀρφανῶν, καὶ ἔθηκας εἰς τὴν θυρίδα ταύτην· εἶδε γὰρ αὐτὴν μεστὴν βιβλίων. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Serapion, saying, “Tell me a word.” The old man says to him, “What have I to tell you? You have taken the goods of widows and orphans and put them on this shelf”; for he saw it full of books. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 110.2 (PG 65:415; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/110-2). ## Serapion 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-110-3 - Source: PG 65:415 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: One who stands attentively before God, like a soldier at attention, cannot be frightened by the enemy. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Σαραπίων, ὅτι "Ωσπερ οἱ στρατιῶται τοῦ βασιλέως οὐ δύνανται ἱστάμενοι δεξιὰ ἢ ἀριστερὰ προσέχειν· οὕτως καὶ ὁ ἄνθρωπος, ἐὰν ἵσταται ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ προσέχῃ ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ ἐν φόβῳ πάσῃ ὥρᾳ, οὐδὲν τοῦ ἐχθροῦ δύναται αὐτὸν ἐκφοβῆσαι. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Serapion said, “As the emperor’s soldiers standing at attention cannot look to right or left, so too a man, if he stands before God and attends to him in fear at every hour, nothing of the enemy can frighten him.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 110.3 (PG 65:415; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/110-3). ## Serapion 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-110-4 - Source: PG 65:415–417 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Serapion exposes a brother’s false humility when he bristles at a gentle correction. ### Greek text Παρέβαλεν ἀδελφὸς τῷ ἀββᾷ Σαραπίωνι· προετρέπετο δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ γέρων εὐχὴν ποιῆσαι κατὰ τὴν συνήθειαν. Ὁ δὲ ἁμαρτωλὸν ἑαυτὸν λέγων, καὶ αὐτοῦ τοῦ μοναχικοῦ σχήματος ἀνάξιον, οὐκ ἐπείθετο. Ἠθέλησε δὲ καὶ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ νίψαι· καὶ τοῖς αὐτοῖς πάλιν χρώμενος λόγοις, οὐκ ἠνέσχετο. Ἐποίησε δὲ αὐτὸν γεύσασθαι· ἐσθίειν δὲ ἤρξατο καὶ ὁ γέρων. Καὶ ἐνουθέτει αὐτὸν, λέγων· Τέκνον, εἰ θέλεις ὠφεληθῆναι, καρτέρησον ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ σου, καὶ πρόσεχε σεαυτῷ καὶ τῷ ἐργοχείρῳ σου· οὐ γὰρ φέρει σοι τὸ προέρχεσθαι τοιαύτην ὠφέλειαν, ὅσον τὸ καθέζεσθαι. Ὁ δὲ ταῦτα ἀκούσας, ἐπικράνθη, καὶ ἠλλοιώθη τῇ μορφῇ, ὥστε μηδὲ δυνηθῆναι λαθεῖν τὸν γέροντα. Εἶπεν οὖν αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Σαραπίων· Μέχρι τοῦ νῦν ἔλεγες, Ἁμαρτωλός εἰμι, καὶ κατηγόρεις ἑαυτοῦ καὶ τοῦ ζῇν ἀνάξιον εἶναι· καὶ ἐπειδὴ μετὰ ἀγάπης ὑπέμνησά σε, τοσοῦτον ἐθηριώθης; Ἐὰν οὖν θέλῃς ταπεινὸς εἶναι, τὰ παρ᾿ ἄλλων ἐπαγόμενά σοι μάθε φέρειν γενναίως, καὶ μὴ ῥήματα ἀργὰ κάτεσχε σεαυτῷ Ταῦτα ἀκούσας ὁ ἀδελφὸς μετενόησε τῷ γέροντι, καὶ πολλὰ ὠφεληθεὶς ἀνεχώρησεν. ### English translation (Claude) A brother visited abba Serapion; and the old man urged him to say a prayer as was customary. But calling himself a sinner and unworthy even of the monastic habit, he would not. He also wanted to wash his feet; and using the same words again, he would not allow it. He made him eat; and the old man too began to eat. And he admonished him, saying, “Child, if you want to be helped, persevere in your cell and attend to yourself and to your handiwork; for going out does not bring you as much benefit as staying.” Hearing this, he was embittered, and his face changed, so that it could not escape the old man. So abba Serapion said to him, “Until now you said, ‘I am a sinner,’ and accused yourself of being unworthy even to live; and because I reminded you with love, you have become so savage? If you want to be humble, learn to bear nobly what others bring upon you, and do not hold empty words for yourself.” Hearing this, the brother made a prostration to the old man and went away greatly helped. ### Translation notes - A garbled line and variant notes inside the sentence are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 110.4 (PG 65:415–417; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/110-4). ## Serenus 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-111-1 - Source: PG 65:417 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Serenus says the real test is keeping one’s rule outside the cell. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σερίνου, ὅτι πολλὰ εἰργάζετο, καὶ δύο παξαμάτια ἤσθιε διαπαντός. Καὶ ἐλθὼν πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰὼβ ὁ συμφωνητὴς αὐτοῦ, καὶ αὐτὸς δὲ μέγας ἀσκητὴς, εἶπεν αὐτῷ, ὅτι Εἰς τὸ κελλίον μου φυλάττω τὴν πρᾶξίν μου· ἐὰν δὲ ἐξέλθω, συγκαταβαίνω τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ἀββᾶς Σερῖνος· Οὐκ ἔστιν αὕτη μεγάλη ἀρετὴ, ὅταν ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ σου φυλάττῃς τὴν τάξιν σου, ἀλλ᾽ ὅταν ἐκ τοῦ κελλίου σου μᾶλλον ἐξέλθῃς. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Serenus that he worked a great deal and always ate two biscuits. And abba Job, his companion, also a great ascetic, came to him and said to him, “In my cell I keep my practice; but if I go out, I accommodate myself to the brothers.” And abba Serenus says to him, “It is not great virtue when you keep your rule in your cell, but rather when you go out of your cell.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 111.1 (PG 65:417; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/111-1). ## Serenus 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-111-2 - Source: PG 65:417 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Serenus credits God, not his labor, with feeding him. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Σερῖνος, ὅτι Ἐποίησα τὸν χρόνον μου, θερίζων, καταῤῥάπτων, πλέκων· καὶ ἐν τούτοις πᾶσιν, εἰ μὴ ἡ χεὶρ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐχόρτασέ με, οὐκ ἠδυνήθην χορτασθῆναι. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Serenus said, “I have spent my time reaping, sewing, and plaiting; and in all these, if the hand of God had not fed me, I could not have been fed.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 111.2 (PG 65:417; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/111-2). ## Spyridon 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-112-1 - Source: PG 65:417 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Bishop Spyridon finds thieves miraculously bound at his sheepfold, frees them, and gives them a ram. ### Greek text Περὶ δὲ Σπυρίδωνος, τοσαύτη τῷ ποιμένι προσῆν ὁσιότης, ὡς ἀξιωθῆναι αὐτὸν καὶ ἀνθρώπων ποιμένα γενέσθαι. Μιᾶς γὰρ τῶν ἐν Κύπρῳ πόλεων, ὀνόματι Τριμιθούντων, οὗτος τὴν ἐπισκοπὴν ἐκεκλήρωτο· διὰ δὲ ἀτυφίαν πολλὴν, ἐχόμενος τῆς ἐπισκοπῆς, ἐποίμαινε καὶ τὰ πρόβατα. Μεσούσης δὲ τῆς νυκτὸς, κλέπται τῇ μάνδρᾳ τῶν προβάτων λαθραίως ἐπελθόντες, κλέψαι τῶν προβάτων ἐσπούδαζον. Ὁ δὲ Θεὸς ὁ τὸν ποιμένα σώζων, καὶ τὰ πρόβατα ἔσωζεν• οἱ γὰρ κλέπται ἀοράτῳ δυνάμει παρὰ τὴν μάνδραν ἐδέδεντο. Ὄρθρος δὲ ἦν· καὶ ἦκεν ὁ ποιμὴν πρὸς τὰ πρόβατα. Ὡς δὲ εὗρεν ὀπίσω τὰς χεῖρας ἔχοντας, ἔγνω τὸ γεγονός· καὶ εὐξάμενος λύει τοὺς κλέπτας. Πολλὰ δὲ νουθετήσας καὶ παραινέσας αὐτοῖς, ἐκ δικαίων πόνων σπουδάζειν μᾶλλον καὶ μὴ ἐξ ἀδικίας ζῇν, ἕνα κριὸν αὐτοῖς χαρισάμενος ἀπέλυσεν, καὶ χαριέντως ἐπιφθεγξάμενος εἶπεν· ἵνα μὴ μάτην ἠγρυπνηκότες φανῆτε. ### English translation (Claude) As for Spyridon, the shepherd had such holiness that he was counted worthy to become a shepherd of men too. For he was allotted the bishopric of one of the cities of Cyprus, called Trimithous; but out of great freedom from pride, while holding the bishopric he also pastured the sheep. In the middle of the night thieves secretly came upon the sheepfold and set about stealing some of the sheep. But God, who saved the shepherd, saved the sheep too; for the thieves were bound by an invisible power beside the fold. It was dawn; and the shepherd came to the sheep. When he found them with their hands behind them, he knew what had happened; and having prayed he set the thieves free. And having admonished and exhorted them at length to strive rather to live by just labors and not by wrongdoing, he gave them one ram and let them go, saying with a smile, “So that you may not seem to have stayed awake for nothing.” ### Translation notes - Spyridon was bishop of Trimithous in Cyprus in the early fourth century; the story is also told by Rufinus and Socrates. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 112.1 (PG 65:417; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/112-1). ## Spyridon 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-112-2 - Source: PG 65:417–419 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Spyridon raises his dead daughter long enough for her to reveal where she hid a deposit. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον πάλιν, ὅτι θυγάτριον ἦν αὐτῷ παρθένος, τῆς τοῦ πατρὸς εὐλαβείας μετέχουσα, τοὔνομα Εἰρήνη. Ταύτῃ γνώριμός τις πολύτιμον παρέθετο κόσμιον. Ἡ δὲ ἀσφαλέστερον ποιοῦσα, γῇ τὴν παραθήκην ἔκρυψε· μετ᾿ ὀλίγον δὲ τὸν βίον ἀπέλιπεν. Ἦλθε δὲ μετὰ χρόνον ὁ παραθέμενος καὶ μὴ εὑρὼν τὴν παρθένον, ἔπλεκε τῷ πατρὶ αὐτῆς τῷ ἀββᾷ Σπυρίδωνι, νῦν μὲν ἔλκων, πάλιν δὲ παρακαλῶν. Ἐπειδὴ δὲ συμφορὰν ἐποιεῖτο τὴν τοῦ παραθεμένου ζημίαν ὁ γέρων, ἐλθὼν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον τῆς θυγατρὸς, ἐπεκαλεῖτο τὸν Θεὸν, πρὸ καιροῦ δεῖξαι αὐτῷ τὴν ἐπηγγελμένην ἀνάστασιν· καὶ δὴ τῆς ἐλπίδος οὐχ ἥμαρτε. Ζῶσα γὰρ αὖθις ἡ παρθένος φαίνεται τῷ πατρί· καὶ τόπον σημάνασα ἔνθα τὸ κόσμιον ἔκειτο αὖθις ἀπεχώρει. Καὶ λαβὼν τὴν παραθήκην ὁ γέρων ἔδωκεν αὐτήν. ### English translation (Claude) They also said that he had a little daughter, a virgin, who shared her father’s piety, named Irene. An acquaintance entrusted a costly ornament to her. To keep it more safely, she hid the deposit in the ground; and a little later she departed this life. After a time the one who had deposited it came and, not finding the virgin, pressed her father, abba Spyridon, now dragging him, now pleading. Since the old man counted the depositor’s loss a misfortune, he went to his daughter’s tomb and called on God to show him before its time the promised resurrection; and indeed he was not disappointed in his hope. For the virgin appeared alive again to her father; and having shown the place where the ornament lay, she departed again. And taking the deposit, the old man gave it back. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 112.2 (PG 65:417–419; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/112-2). ## Saio 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-113-1 - Source: PG 65:419 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Saio obeys even an order to steal, while his elder secretly returns the goods. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σαϊὼ, καὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Μούη, ὅτι ἔμειναν μετ᾿ ἀλλήλων. Εἶχε δὲ πολλὴν ὑπακοὴν ὁ ἀββᾶς Σαϊὼ, σκληρὸς δὲ ἦν πάνυ. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων πειράζων· Ὕπαγε, σύλησον. Καὶ ὑπῆγε, καὶ ἐσύλα τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς διὰ τὴν ὑπακοὴν, εὐχαριστῶν τῷ Κυρίῳ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἦρεν αὐτὰ, καὶ παρείχε κρυφίως. Ποτὲ οὖν ὁδευόντων αὐτῶν, ἡτόνησε, καὶ ἀφῆκεν αὐτὸν ὁ ἀββᾶς συντετριμμένον· καὶ ἐλθὼν, εἶπε τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς· Ὑπάγετε, φέρετε τὸν Σαϊὼ, ὅτι κεκλασμένος κεῖται. Καὶ ἀπελθόντες, ἤγαγον αὐτόν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Saio and abba Mouë that they lived together. Abba Saio had great obedience, but he was very harsh. And the old man would say to him, testing him, “Go, steal.” And he went and stole from the brothers out of obedience, giving thanks to the Lord for everything. But the old man took the things and gave them back secretly. Once as they were traveling, he grew weak, and the abba left him exhausted; and coming, he said to the brothers, “Go, bring Saio, for he is lying worn out.” And they went and brought him. ### Translation notes - The test of obedience by a command to steal (secretly undone) is translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 113.1 (PG 65:419; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/113-1). ## Amma Sarah 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-114-1 - Source: PG 65:419 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: For thirteen years Sarah prayed not to be freed from temptation but for strength in it. ### Greek text Διηγήσαντο περὶ τῆς ἀμμᾶς Σάῤῥας, ὅτι ἔμεινε δεκατρία ἔτη πολεμουμένη κραταιῶς ὑπὸ τοῦ δαίμονος τῆς πορνείας, καὶ οὐδέποτε ηὔξατο ἀποστῆναι τὸν πόλεμον, ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον ἔλεγεν Ὁ Θεὸς, δός μοι ἰσχύν. ### English translation (Claude) They related of amma Sarah that she remained thirteen years fiercely attacked by the demon of sexual immorality, and she never prayed for the war to depart, but rather said, “O God, give me strength.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 114.1 (PG 65:419; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/114-1). ## Amma Sarah 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-114-2 - Source: PG 65:419 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sarah answers the defeated spirit of lust that Christ, not she, has conquered it. ### Greek text Ἐπέθετο αὐτῇ ποτε σφοδρότερον τὸ αὐτὸ πνεῦμα τῆς πορνείας, ὑποβάλλον αὐτῇ τὰ τοῦ κόσμου μάταια. Ἡ δὲ μὴ ἐνδοῦσα τῷ τοῦ Θεοῦ φόβῳ καὶ τῇ ἀσκήσει, ἀνῆλθεν ἐν μιᾷ εἰς τὸ δωμάτιον αὐτῆς προσεύξασθαι. Καὶ ὤφθη αὐτῇ σωματικῶς τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς πορνείας, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ· Σύ με ἐνίκησας, Σάῤῥα. Ἡ δὲ εἶπεν· Οὐκ ἐνίκησά σε ἐγὼ, ἀλλ᾽ ὁ Δεσπότης μου Χριστός. ### English translation (Claude) Once the same spirit of sexual immorality attacked her more violently, suggesting to her the vanities of the world. But she did not give in, through the fear of God and asceticism, and one day she went up to her little roof to pray. And the spirit of sexual immorality appeared to her bodily and said to her, “You have overcome me, Sarah.” But she said, “It is not I who have overcome you, but my Master, Christ.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 114.2 (PG 65:419; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/114-2). ## Amma Sarah 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-114-3 - Source: PG 65:419 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sarah lived sixty years by the river without looking at it. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ αὐτῆς, ὅτι ἐπάνω τοῦ ποταμοῦ ἔμεινεν ἐξήκοντα ἔτη οἰκοῦσα, καὶ οὐ παρέκυψεν ἰδεῖν αὐτόν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of her that she lived sixty years beside the river and never looked out to see it. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 114.3 (PG 65:419; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/114-3). ## Amma Sarah 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-114-4 - Source: PG 65:419 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sarah answers anchorites who came to humble her that she is a woman by nature but not in her thoughts. ### Greek text "Αλλοτε ἦλθον δύο γέροντες ἀναχωρηταὶ μεγάλοι ἀπὸ τῶν μερῶν τοῦ Πηλουσίου πρὸς αὐτήν· καὶ ἀπερχόμενοι ἔλεγον πρὸς ἀλλήλους Ταπεινώσωμεν τὴν γραΐδα ταύτην. Καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῇ Βλέπε μὴ ἐπαρθῇ ὁ λογισμός σου, καὶ εἴπῃς, ὅτι Ἰδοὺ οἱ ἀναχωρηταὶ πρὸς μὲ ἔρχονται γυναῖκα οὖσαν. Λέγει αὐτοῖς ἡ ἀμμᾶς Σάῤῥα· Τῇ μὲν φύσει γυνή εἰμι, ἀλλ᾽ οὐ τῷ λογισμῷ. ### English translation (Claude) Another time two great old anchorites came to her from the region of Pelusium; and on the way they said to one another, “Let us humble this old woman.” And they say to her, “See that your thought is not puffed up and you say, ‘Look, the anchorites are coming to me, a woman.’” Amma Sarah says to them, “By nature I am a woman, but not in my thoughts.” ### Translation notes - A variant note is removed. Sarah’s reply reflects the ancient association of “manly” resolve with virtue; translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 114.4 (PG 65:419; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/114-4). ## Amma Sarah 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-114-5 - Source: PG 65:419–421 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sarah prays for a pure heart rather than to please all, and keeps death before her eyes at every step. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ἡ ἀμμᾶς Σάῤῥα Ἐὰν εὔξωμαι τῷ Θεῷ, ἵνα πάντες οἱ ἄνθρωποι πληροφορῶνται εἰς ἐμὲ, εὑρεθήσομαι εἰς τὴν θύραν ἑκάστου μετανοοῦσα ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον εὔξομαι τὴν καρδίαν μου ἁγνὴν εἶναι μετὰ πάντων. Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Βάλλω τὸν πόδα μου ἐπὶ τὴν κλίμακα ἀναβῆναι, καὶ τιθῶ τὸν θάνατον πρὸ ὀφθαλμῶν μου πρὸ τοῦ ἀναβῆναί με εἰς αὐτήν ### English translation (Claude) Amma Sarah said, “If I pray to God that all people may be pleased with me, I shall be found at the door of each, apologizing; but rather I will pray that my heart may be pure toward all.” [6] She also said, “I put my foot on the ladder to go up, and I set death before my eyes before going up it.” ### Translation notes - The scan runs Sarah 6 into this saying without its numeral; marked [6]. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 114.5 (PG 65:419–421; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/114-5). ## Amma Sarah 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-114-7 - Source: PG 65:421 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Even almsgiving done for human approval comes round to pleasing God. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι καλόν ἐστι καὶ δι᾿ ἀνθρώπους ποιεῖν ἐλεημοσύνην. Εἰ γὰρ καὶ δι' ἀνθρωπαρεσκίαν, ἀλλ᾽ ἔρχεται πάλιν εἰς Θεοῦ ἀρέσκειαν ### English translation (Claude) She also said, “It is good to give alms even for men’s sake. For even if it is done to please men, it comes round again to pleasing God.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 114.7 (PG 65:421; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/114-7). ## Amma Sarah 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-114-8 - Source: PG 65:421 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Sarah recognizes Scetis monks by their choosing the rotten fruit. ### Greek text Παρέβαλόν ποτε Σκητιῶται τῇ ἀμμᾷ Σάῤῥᾳ. Ἡ δὲ παρέθηκεν αὐτοῖς κανίσκιν Οἱ δὲ ἀφέντες τὰ καλὰ, ἔφαγον τὰ σαπρά. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Όντως Σκητιῶταί ἐστε. ### English translation (Claude) Once some monks of Scetis visited amma Sarah. And she set before them a small basket of fruit. And they left the good fruit and ate the rotten. And she said to them, “Truly you are monks of Scetis.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 114.8 (PG 65:421; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/114-8). ## Amma Syncletica 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-115-1 - Source: PG 65:421 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Syncletica compares the hard beginning of the spiritual life to the smoke before a fire catches. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ἡ ἀμμᾶς Συγκλητική· Ἀγών ἐστι καὶ κόπος πολὺς τοῖς προσερχομένοις τῷ Θεῷ, τὰ πρῶτα· ἔπειτα δὲ, χαρὰ ἀνεκλάλητος. Ωσπερ γὰρ οἱ πῦρ ἐξάψαι βουλόμενοι, πρῶτον καπνίζονται καὶ δακρύουσι, καὶ οὕτως τοῦ ζητουμένου ἐπιτυγχάνουσι (καὶ γάρ φησιν, Ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν πῦρ καταναλίσκον ἐστίν)· οὕτως δεῖ καὶ ἡμᾶς εἰς ἑαυτοὺς τὸ θεῖον ἐξάψαι πῦρ μετὰ δακρύων καὶ πόνων ### English translation (Claude) Amma Syncletica said, “There is struggle and much labor at first for those who come to God; but afterward, unspeakable joy. For as those who want to light a fire are first smoked and weep, and so obtain what they seek (for it says, ‘Our God is a consuming fire’), so we too must kindle the divine fire in ourselves with tears and labors.” ### Scripture references - Heb 12:29: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Heb 12:29. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 115.1 (PG 65:421; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/115-1). ## Amma Syncletica 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-115-2 - Source: PG 65:421 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Monastic chastity must govern all the senses, not the body alone. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν, ὅτι Δεῖ ἡμᾶς τοὺς τὸ ἐπάγγελμα τοῦτο ἐπανῃρημένους, σωφροσύνην τὴν εἰς ἄκρον κατέχειν. Καὶ γὰρ παρὰ τοῖς κοσμικοῖς σωφροσύνη δοκεῖ πολιτεύεσθαι, ἀλλὰ συμπάρεστιν αὐτῇ καὶ ἀφροσύνη, διὰ τὸ ταῖς ἄλλαις πάσαις αἰσθήσεσιν ἁμαρτάνειν. Καὶ γὰρ ὁρῶσιν ἀπρεπῶς, καὶ γελῶσιν ἀτάκτως. ### English translation (Claude) She also said, “We who have taken up this profession must keep chastity to the utmost. For among people of the world chastity seems to be practiced, but folly is present alongside it, because they sin with all the other senses. For they look improperly and laugh immoderately.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 115.2 (PG 65:421; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/115-2). ## Amma Syncletica 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-115-3 - Source: PG 65:421 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Prayer with fasting drives out evil thoughts like strong drugs repel venomous beasts. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ὥσπερ τὰ ἰοβόλα θηρία τὰ δριμύτερα τῶν φαρμάκων ἀπελαύνει· οὕτως καὶ λογισμὸν πονηρὸν εὐχὴ μετὰ νηστείας ἀπελαύνει ### English translation (Claude) She also said, “As the harsher drugs drive away venomous beasts, so prayer with fasting drives away an evil thought.” ### Scripture references - Mark 9:29: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 115.3 (PG 65:421; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/115-3). ## Amma Syncletica 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-115-4 - Source: PG 65:421 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Syncletica warns against the luxury of the rich, whose surfeit makes even honey tasteless. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Μή σε δελεάσῃ τῶν κοσμικῶν πλουσίων τρυφή, ὡς χρήσιμόν τι ἔχουσα, ἡδονῆς κενῆς σε ἕνεκεν. Ἐκεῖνοι τὴν ὀψαρτυτικὴν τιμῶσι τέχνην· νηστείᾳ καὶ αὐτὸς διὰ τῶν εὐτελῶν τὴν ἐκείνων εὐπορίαν τῶν τροφῶν ὑπερβάλλεις Φησὶ γάρ· Ψυχὴ ἐν τρυφῇ οὖσα κηρίοις ἐμπαίζει. Μὴ κορεσθῇς ἄρτου, καὶ οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις οἴνου. ### English translation (Claude) She also said, “Do not let the luxury of the rich of the world lure you as though it had something useful, for the sake of empty pleasure. They honor the art of cookery; but you, by fasting and through cheap food, surpass their abundance of food. For it says, ‘A soul in luxury mocks at honeycombs.’ Do not have your fill of bread, and you will not desire wine.” ### Scripture references - Prov 27:7: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Prov 27:7 (LXX). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 115.4 (PG 65:421; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/115-4). ## Amma Syncletica 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-115-5 - Source: PG 65:421 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Voluntary poverty is a perfect good for the able, strengthening the soul as washing strengthens cloth. ### Greek text Ἠρωτήθη ἡ μακαρία Συγκλητική, εἰ τέλειον ἀγαθὸν ἡ ἀκτημοσύνη. Ἡ δὲ εἶπε· Πάνυ τέλειον τοῖς δυναμένοις Οἱ γὰρ ὑπομένοντες τοῦτο, θλίψιν μὲν ἔχουσι τῇ σαρκὶ, τῇ δὲ ψυχῇ ἀνάπαυσιν. Ωσπερ γὰρ τὰ στερεὰ ἱμάτια, πατούμενα καὶ βιαίως στρεφόμενα, πλύνεται οὕτως καὶ ψυχὴ ἰσχυρὰ, διὰ τῆς ἑκουσίου πενίας, ἐπὶ πλεῖον κρατύνεται. ### English translation (Claude) Blessed Syncletica was asked whether poverty is a perfect good. And she said, “Very perfect for those who are able. For those who endure it have affliction in the flesh but rest in the soul. For as strong garments are washed by being trodden and forcefully wrung, so too a strong soul is strengthened all the more by voluntary poverty.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 115.5 (PG 65:421; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/115-5). ## Amma Syncletica 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-115-6 - Source: PG 65:421–423 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A monk or nun who moves from place to place grows cold like eggs abandoned by the bird. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἐὰν ἐν κοινοβίῳ τυγχάνῃς, μὴ μεταλλάξῃς τὸν τόπον· βλαβήσῃ γὰρ μεγάλως. Ὥσπερ γὰρ ὄρνις, ἐξανισταμένη τῶν ὠῶν, οὔρια ταῦτα καὶ ἄγονα παρασκευάζει· οὕτως καὶ μοναχὸς ἢ παρθένος ψύγεται καὶ νεκροῦται τῆς πίστεως, τόπον ἐκ τόπου περιερχόμενος. ### English translation (Claude) She also said, “If you happen to be in a community, do not change your place; for you will be greatly harmed. For as a bird that leaves her eggs makes them addled and infertile, so too the monk or virgin grows cold and dead in faith by going from place to place.” ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 115.6 (PG 65:421–423; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/115-6). ## Amma Syncletica 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-115-7 - Source: PG 65:423 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Syncletica teaches that the devil’s trials, especially illness, purify sinners and perfect the righteous. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Πολλὰ τοῦ διαβόλου τὰ ἔνεδρα. Διὰ πενίας οὐ μετεκίνησε ψυχήν; πλοῦτον προσάγει δέλεαρ. Δι' ὕβρεων καὶ ὀνειδισμῶν οὐκ ἴσχυσεν; ἑπαίνους καὶ δόξαν προβάλλεται. Διὰ τῆς ὑγείας ἡττηθεὶς, νοσοποιεῖ τὸ σῶμα Ταῖς γὰρ ἡδοναῖς μὴ δυνηθεὶς ἀπατῆσαι, διὰ τῶν ἀκουσίων πόνων τὴν παρατροπὴν ποιῆσαι πειρᾶται. Νόσους γάρ τινας βαρυτάτας ἐξ αἰτήσεως, πρὸς τὸ διὰ τούτων ὀλιγωρήσαντας ἐπιθολῶσαι αὐτῶν τὴν πρὸς Θεὸν ἀγάπην, προσάγει. Ἀλλὰ καὶ κατατέμνεται τὸ σῶμα πυρετοῖς σφοδροτάτοις, καὶ δίψει ἀσχέτῳ ἀνιᾶται. Εἰ μὲν ἁμαρτωλὸς ὢν ταῦτα ὑφίστασαι, ὑπομνήσθητι καὶ τῆς μελλούσης κολάσεως, καὶ τοῦ αἰωνίου πυρὸς, καὶ τῶν δικαστικῶν τιμωριῶν, καὶ οὐ μὴ ὀλιγωρήσῃς πρὸς τὰ παρόντα. Χαῖρε ὅτι ἐπεσκόπησέ σε ὁ Θεός· καὶ τὸ εὔφημον δὲ ἐκεῖνο ῥητὸν ἐπὶ τῆς γλώττης ἔχε, ὡς Παιδεύων ἐπαίδευσέ με ὁ Κύριος, καὶ τῷ θανάτῳ οὐ παρέδωκέ με. Σίδηρος ἐτύγχανες· ἀλλὰ διὰ τοῦ πυρὸς τὸν ἰὸν ἀποβάλλεις. Εἰ δὲ καὶ δίκαιος ὢν ἀῤῥωστεῖς, ἀπὸ τῶν μεγάλων ἐπὶ τὰ μείζονα προκόπτεις. Χρυσὸς εἶ; ἀλλὰ διὰ τοῦ πυρὸς δοκιμώτερος γίνῃ. Ἐδόθη σοι ἄγγελος τῇ σαρκί; ἀγαλλιῶ· βλέπε τίνι ὅμοιος γέγονας· τῆς γὰρ Παύλου μερίδος ἠξιώθης. Διὰ τοῦ πυρετοῦ δοκιμάζῃ; διὰ ῥίγους παιδεύῃ; ἀλλά φησιν ἡ Γραφή· Διήλθομεν διὰ πυρὸς καὶ ὕδατος, καὶ ἐξήγαγες ἡμᾶς εἰς ἀναψυχήν. Ἔτυχες τοῦ πρώτου; προσδόκα τὸ δεύτερον. Πράττων τὴν ἀρετὴν, βόα τὰ τοῦ ἁγίου ῥήματα· φησὶ γάρ· Πτωχὸς καὶ ἀλγῶν εἰμι ἐγώ. Τέλειος γενήσῃ διὰ ταύτης τῶν θλίψεων τῆς δυάδος· φησὶ γὰρ· Ἐν θλίψει ἐπλάτυνάς με. Ἐν τούτοις μᾶλλον τοῖς γυμνασίοις τὰς ψυχὰς ἀσκηθῶμεν· ἐπ᾿ ὀφθαλμῶν γὰρ ὁρῶμεν τὸν ἀντίπαλον. ### English translation (Claude) She also said, “Many are the snares of the devil. Did he not move the soul through poverty? He brings wealth as a bait. Did he not prevail through insults and reproaches? He puts forward praise and glory. Defeated through health, he makes the body sick. For being unable to deceive through pleasures, he tries to bring about a turning aside through involuntary sufferings. For he brings very grievous illnesses by request, so as by these to cloud the love toward God of those who lose heart. But the body is also cut by the most violent fevers and tormented by unquenchable thirst. If you are a sinner and suffer these things, remember the punishment to come, and the eternal fire, and the judicial punishments, and you will not lose heart at the present things. Rejoice that God has visited you; and keep on your tongue that auspicious saying, ‘The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.’ You were iron; but through the fire you cast off the rust. If you are righteous and are ill, you advance from great things to greater. Are you gold? But through the fire you become more proven. Has an angel been given you in the flesh? Rejoice; see whom you have become like; for you have been counted worthy of the portion of Paul. Are you tested by fever? Disciplined by cold? But the Scripture says, ‘We went through fire and water, and you brought us out into refreshment.’ Have you received the first? Expect the second. Doing virtue, cry out the words of the saint; for he says, ‘I am poor and in pain.’ You will become perfect through this pair of afflictions; for he says, ‘In affliction you enlarged me.’ Let us rather train our souls in these exercises; for we see the adversary before our eyes.” ### Scripture references - Ps 118:18 (117:18 LXX): quotation, high confidence - 2 Cor 12:7: allusion, high confidence - Ps 66:12 (65:12 LXX): quotation, high confidence - Ps 69:29 (68:30 LXX): quotation, high confidence - Ps 4:1 (4:2 LXX): quotation, high confidence - Job 2:6: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - “By request” (ἐξ αἰτήσεως) is taken as the devil asking leave to try them (cf. Job 2). Quotations: Ps 118:18 (LXX 117:18); Ps 66:12 (LXX 65:12); Ps 69:29 (LXX 68:30); Ps 4:1 (LXX 4:2); the “angel” in the flesh: 2 Cor 12:7. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 115.7 (PG 65:423; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/115-7). ## Amma Syncletica 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-115-8 - Source: PG 65:423 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Illness does the work of fasting; enduring it with thanksgiving is the great asceticism. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἐὰν ἀσθένεια ὀχλῇ ἡμῖν, μὴ λυπηθῶμεν, ὡς διὰ τὴν ἀσθένειαν καὶ τὴν πληγὴν τοῦ σώματος μὴ δυνάμενοι ψάλλειν μετὰ φωνῆς· ταῦτα γὰρ πάντα ἡμῖν ἡνύετο, πρὸς καθαίρεσιν ἐπιθυμιῶν. Καὶ γὰρ ἡ νηστεία καὶ ἡ χαμευνία διὰ τὰς ἡδονὰς ἡμῖν νενομοθέτηται. Εἰ οὖν ἡ νόσος ταύτας ἤμβλυνε, περιττὸς ὁ λόγος. Αὕτη γάρ ἐστιν ἡ μεγάλη ἄσκησις, τὸ ἐν τοῖς νόσοις ἐγκαρτερεῖν, καὶ εὐχαριστηρίους ὕμνους ἀναπέμπειν τῷ Θεῷ. ### English translation (Claude) She also said, “If illness troubles us, let us not be grieved, as though because of the illness and the wounding of the body we could not sing psalms aloud; for all these things were accomplished for us for the destruction of desires. For fasting and sleeping on the ground were prescribed for us because of the pleasures. So if illness has blunted them, the reason is superfluous. For this is the great asceticism: to persevere in illnesses and send up hymns of thanksgiving to God.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 115.8 (PG 65:423; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/115-8). ## Amma Syncletica 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-115-9 - Source: PG 65:423–425 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Persevere through opposition like sailors who hold course, spreading the cross for a sail. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν Νηστεύων μὴ προφασίση νόσον· καὶ γὰρ οἱ μὴ νηστεύοντες τοῖς αὐτοῖς πολλάκις περιέπεσον νοσήμασιν. Ἤρξω τοῦ καλοῦ; μὴ ἀναχαιτίσῃς τοῦ ἐχθροῦ σε ἐκκόψαντος· αὐτὸς γὰρ τῇ ὑπομονῇ σου καταργεῖται. Καὶ γὰρ οἱ πλεῖν ἀρχόμενοι πρῶτον μὲν δεξιοῦ πνεύματος τυγχάνουσιν· ἁπλώσαντες δὲ τὰ ἱστία, αὖθις ἐναντίῳ ἀπαντῶσιν ἀνέμῳ, ἀλλ᾽ οἱ ναῦται διὰ τὸ παρεμπεσὸν πνεῦμα οὐκ ἀποσκευάζουσι τὴν ναῦν· μικρὸν δὲ ἡσυχάσαντες ἢ καὶ ἀπομαχησάμενοι τῇ ζάλῃ, πάλιν τὸν πλοῦν ποιοῦνται. Οὕτω καὶ ἡμεῖς, ἐναντίου πνεύματος προσπεσόντος, τὸν σταυρὸν ἀντὶ ἱστίου τανύσαντες, ἀδεῶς τὸν πλοῦν ἐκτελέσωμεν. ### English translation (Claude) She also said, “When you fast, do not make illness an excuse; for those who do not fast often fall into the same illnesses. Have you begun the good? Do not turn back when the enemy cuts you off; for he is brought to nothing by your endurance. For those who begin to sail first have a favorable wind; then, having spread the sails, they meet a contrary wind; but the sailors do not unload the ship because of the wind that has struck, but after waiting a little or fighting the storm, they sail on again. So we too, when a contrary wind strikes, spreading the cross for a sail, let us complete the voyage fearlessly.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 115.9 (PG 65:423–425; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/115-9). ## Amma Syncletica 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-115-10 - Source: PG 65:425 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Merchants always want more; monks, owning nothing, want nothing for fear of God. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Οἱ μὲν τὸν αἰσθητὸν πλοῦτον ἐκ κόπων καὶ κινδύνων θαλάσσης συνάγοντες, πολλὰ κερδήσαντες, τῶν πλειόνων ἐφίενται· καὶ τὰ μὲν παρόντα ὡς οὐδὲν ἡγοῦνται· πρὸς δὲ τὰ μὴ παρόντα ἐπεκτείνονται. Ἡμεῖς δὲ καὶ τῶν ζητουμένων μηδὲν ἔχοντες, οὐδὲν θέλομεν κτήσασθαι διὰ τὸν φόβον τοῦ Θεοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) She also said, “Those who gather visible wealth through labors and the dangers of the sea, having gained much, desire more; and they count what they have as nothing and strain toward what they do not have. But we, who have nothing of what we seek, want to acquire nothing, because of the fear of God.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 115.10 (PG 65:425; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/115-10). ## Amma Syncletica 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-115-11 - Source: PG 65:425 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Imitate the humble tax collector and meek Moses so that the rock of the heart becomes a spring. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Μίμησαι τὸν Τελώνην ἵνα μὴ τῷ Φαρισαίῳ συγκατακριθῇς· καὶ Μωσέως τὸ πρᾶον ἐπίλεξαι, ἵνα τὴν καρδίαν σου ἀκρότομον οὖσαν εἰς πηγὰς ὑδάτων μεταβάλης. ### English translation (Claude) She also said, “Imitate the tax collector, so that you may not be condemned with the Pharisee; and choose the meekness of Moses, so that you may change your heart, which is a rock, into springs of water.” ### Scripture references - Luke 18:13: allusion, high confidence - Num 12:3: allusion, medium confidence - Ps 114:8 (113:8 LXX): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Luke 18:10–14; Num 12:3; Ps 114:8 (LXX 113:8). ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 115.11 (PG 65:425; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/115-11). ## Amma Syncletica 12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-115-12 - Source: PG 65:425 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Teaching without first living the practical life ruins one’s hearers like a collapsing house. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἐπικίνδυνον, τὸν μὴ διὰ τοῦ πρακτικοῦ βίου ἀναχθέντα διδάσκειν. "Ωσπερ γὰρ ἐὰν ᾗ τις οἰκίαν ἔχων σαθρὰν, ξένους ὑποδεξάμενος, βλάψει τῇ πτώσει τοῦ οἰκήματος, οὕτως καὶ οὗτοι, μὴ πρότερον ἑαυτοὺς οἰκοδομήσαντες, καὶ τοὺς προσελθόντας αὐτοῖς ἀπώλεσαν· τοῖς μὲν γὰρ λόγοις συνεκάλεσαντο εἰς σωτηρίαν, τῇ δὲ τοῦ τρόπου κακίᾳ τοὺς ἀθλητὰς μᾶλλον ἠδίκησαν. ### English translation (Claude) She also said, “It is dangerous for one not formed by the practical life to teach. For as someone who has a rotten house, if he receives guests, harms them by the collapse of the building, so too these, not having first built themselves up, have destroyed those who came to them; for by their words they called them to salvation, but by the wickedness of their way of life they rather wronged the contestants.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 115.12 (PG 65:425; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/115-12). ## Amma Syncletica 13 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-115-13 - Source: PG 65:425 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Do not let anger outlast the day; hate the devil’s sickness, not the person. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν Καλὸν τὸ μὴ ὀργίζεσθαι· εἰ δὲ καὶ γένηται, οὐδὲ μέτρον σοι ἡμέρας πρὸς τὸ πάθος συνεχώρησεν, εἰπών· Μὴ ἐπιδυέτω ὁ ἥλιος. Σὺ οὖν ἐκδέχῃ ἕως πᾶς ὁ χρόνος σου δύῃ. Τί μισεῖς τὸν λυπήσαντα ἄνθρωπον; οὐκ αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ ἀδικήσας, ἀλλ᾿ ὁ διάβολος. Μίσησον τὴν νόσον, καὶ μὴ τὸν νοσοῦντα. ### English translation (Claude) She also said, “It is good not to get angry; but if it happens, he has not allowed you even the span of a day for the passion, saying, ‘Let not the sun go down.’ Do you wait until your whole time goes down? Why do you hate the man who grieved you? It is not he who wronged you, but the devil. Hate the sickness, and not the sick man.” ### Scripture references - Eph 4:26: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Eph 4:26. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 115.13 (PG 65:425; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/115-13). ## Amma Syncletica 14 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-115-14 - Source: PG 65:425 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The more one advances, the stronger the opponent. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν Ὅσον προκόπτουσιν οἱ ἀθληταὶ, τοσοῦτον συνάπτουσι ἀνταγωνιστῇ μείζονι. ### English translation (Claude) She also said, “The more athletes advance, the greater the opponent they engage.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 115.14 (PG 65:425; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/115-14). ## Amma Syncletica 15 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-115-15 - Source: PG 65:425 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Syncletica distinguishes true from demonic asceticism by its balance and steadiness. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἔστι καὶ ἐκ τοῦ ἐχθροῦ ἐπιτεταμένη ἄσκησις· καὶ γὰρ οἱ αὐτοῦ μαθηταὶ τοῦτο ποιοῦσι. Πῶς οὖν διακρίνωμεν τὴν θείαν καὶ βασιλικὴν ἄσκησιν, τῆς τυραννικῆς καὶ δαιμονιώδους; δῆλον ὡς ἀπὸ τῆς συμμετρίας "Απας σοι ὁ χρόνος εἷς κανὼν νηστείας ὑπαρχέτω. Μὴ τέσσαρας ἢ πέντε νηστεύσῃς, καὶ τὴν ἄλλην ἐν πλήθει τροφῶν καταλύσῃς· πανταχοῦ γὰρ ἡ ἀμετρία φθοροποιός τυγχάνει. Νέος ὢν καὶ ὑγιὴς νήστευσον· ἤξει γὰρ τὸ γῆρας μετὰ ἀσθενείας. Ὡς δύνῃ οὖν θησαύρισον τροφὰς, ἵνα ὅταν μὴ δύνῃ εὕρῃς ἀνάπαυσιν. ### English translation (Claude) She also said, “There is also an intensified asceticism from the enemy; for his disciples do this too. How then shall we distinguish the divine and royal asceticism from the tyrannical and demonic? Clearly by its balance. Let all your time be one rule of fasting. Do not fast four or five days and break it on the next with a quantity of food; for everywhere lack of measure is destructive. While you are young and healthy, fast; for old age will come with weakness. So, as far as you can, store up food, so that when you cannot, you may find rest.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 115.15 (PG 65:425; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/115-15). ## Amma Syncletica 16 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-115-16 - Source: PG 65:425–427 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: In community, obedience is better than asceticism. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν Ἐν κοινοβίῳ ὄντες, τὴν ὑπακοὴν τῆς ἀσκήσεως μᾶλλον προκρίνωμεν ἡ μὲν γὰρ ὑπεροψίαν διδάσκει, ἡ δὲ ταπεινοφροσύνην. ### English translation (Claude) She also said, “Being in a community, let us prefer obedience to asceticism; for the one teaches arrogance, the other humility.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 115.16 (PG 65:425–427; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/115-16). ## Amma Syncletica 17 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-115-17 - Source: PG 65:427 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: In community, steer by discernment and obey one’s spiritual father. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Δεῖ ἡμᾶς τῇ διακρίσει κυβερνᾶν τὴν ψυχήν· καὶ ἐν κοινοβίῳ ὄντας, μὴ τὰ ἑαυτῶν ζητεῖν, μήτε μὴν οἰκείᾳ δουλεύειν γνώμῃ, ἀλλὰ τῷ κατὰ πίστιν πατρὶ πειθαρχεῖν. ### English translation (Claude) She also said, “We must steer the soul with discernment; and being in a community, not seek our own things, nor serve our own opinion, but obey our father in the faith.” ### Scripture references - 1 Cor 13:5: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 115.17 (PG 65:427; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/115-17). ## Amma Syncletica 18 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-115-18 - Source: PG 65:427 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Syncletica explains the serpent’s wisdom and dove’s innocence. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν Γέγραπται, ὅτι Γίνεσθε φρόνιμοι ὡς οἱ ὄφεις καὶ ἀκέραιοι ὡς αἱ περιστεραί. Τὸ μὲν γὰρ γίνεσθαι ὡς οἱ ὄφεις εἴρηται, πρὸς τὸ μὴ λανθάνειν ἡμᾶς τὰς ὁρμὰς καὶ τὰς μεθοδείας τοῦ διαβόλου τὸ γὰρ ὅμοιον ἐκ τοῦ ὁμοίου ταχίστην ἔχει τὴν διάγνωσιν· τὸ δὲ ἀκέραιον τῆς περιστερᾶς δείκνυσι τὸ καθαρὸν τῆς πράξεως. ### English translation (Claude) She also said, “It is written, ‘Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.’ To be like serpents is said so that the attacks and wiles of the devil may not escape us; for like is most quickly recognized by like; and the innocence of the dove shows the purity of action.” ### Scripture references - Matt 10:16: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Matt 10:16. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 115.18 (PG 65:427; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/115-18). ## Tithoes 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-116-1 - Source: PG 65:427 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Tithoes lowered his hands quickly in prayer lest he be rapt in ecstasy before others. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Τιθόη, ὅτι εἰ μὴ ταχέως κατέφερε τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ ὅτε ἴστατο εἰς προσευχὴν, ἡρπάζετο ὁ νοῦς αὐτοῦ ἄνω. Εἰ οὖν συνέβη ἀδελφοὺς συνεύχεσθαι αὐτῷ, ἐσπούδαζε ταχέως καταφέρειν τὰς χεῖρας, ἵνα μὴ ἁρπαγῇ ὁ νοῦς αὐτοῦ καὶ χρονίσῃ. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Tithoes that unless he quickly lowered his hands when he stood to pray, his mind was carried away upward. So if it happened that brothers prayed with him, he hastened to lower his hands quickly, so that his mind might not be carried away and linger. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 116.1 (PG 65:427; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/116-1). ## Tithoes 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-116-2 - Source: PG 65:427 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: True exile is controlling one’s mouth. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Τιθόης, ὅτι ξενητεία δε ἐστὶ τὸ κρατῆσαι ἄνθρωπον τὸ ἑαυτοῦ στόμα. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Tithoes said that exile is for a man to control his own mouth. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 116.2 (PG 65:427; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/116-2). ## Tithoes 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-116-3 - Source: PG 65:427 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The heart cannot be guarded while tongue and belly are unguarded. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἡρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Τιθόην ὅτι Πῶς φυλάξω τὴν καρδίαν μου; Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων· Πῶς φυλάξομεν τὴν καρδίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνεωγμένης τῆς γλώσσης ἡμῶν καὶ τῆς κοιλίας; ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Tithoes, “How shall I guard my heart?” The old man says to him, “How shall we guard our heart, when our tongue and our belly are open?” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 116.3 (PG 65:427; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/116-3). ## Tithoes 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-116-4 - Source: PG 65:427 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Tithoes was blameless, like pure gold in the scales. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ματόης περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Τιθόη, ὅτι Οὐχ εὑρίσκει ἄνθρωπος ἀνοῖξαι τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ ἔν τινι πράγματι εἰς αὐτόν· ἀλλ' ὥσπερ τὸ καθαρὸν χρυσίον ἵσταται ἐν ζυγῷ, οὕτως καὶ ὁ ἀββᾶς Τιθόης. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Matoes said of abba Tithoes, “No one finds occasion to open his mouth against him in any matter; but as pure gold stands in the balance, so does abba Tithoes.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 116.4 (PG 65:427; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/116-4). ## Tithoes 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-116-5 - Source: PG 65:427 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Tithoes, his mind still on his desert home, asks to be taken back to the mountain. ### Greek text Καθήμενός ποτε ὁ ἀββᾶς Τιθόης εἰς τὸ Κλύσμα, νοῶν καὶ φρονῶν λέγει τῷ μαθητῇ αὐτοῦ· Ἀπόλυσον τὸ ὕδωρ εἰς τοὺς φοίνικας, τέκνον. Ὁ̔ δὲ εἶπεν· Εἰς τὸ Κλύσμα ἐσμὲν, ἀββᾶ. Λέγει ὁ γέρων Εἰς τὸ Κλύσμα τί ποιῶ; ἆρόν με πάλιν εἰς τὸ ὄρος. ### English translation (Claude) Once when abba Tithoes was living at Clysma, though fully aware and in his right mind, he says to his disciple, “Let out the water for the palm trees, child.” He said, “We are at Clysma, abba.” The old man says, “What am I doing at Clysma? Take me back to the mountain.” ### Translation notes - νοῶν καὶ φρονῶν (“aware and in his right mind”) stresses that his forgetting was not senility. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 116.5 (PG 65:427; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/116-5). ## Tithoes 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-116-6 - Source: PG 65:427 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Tithoes apologizes for groaning in ecstasy before a brother. ### Greek text Καθημένου ποτὲ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Τιθόη, ἦν ἀδελφὸς ἐγγὺς αὐτοῦ· καὶ μὴ εἰδὼς ἐστέναξε· καὶ οὐκ ἐνόησεν ὅτι ἦν ἀδελφὸς ἐγγὺς αὐτοῦ· ἦν γὰρ ἐν ἐκστάσει. Καὶ ποιήσας μετάνοιαν, ἔλεγε Συγχώρησόν μοι, ἀδελφὲ, ὅτι οὔπω γέγονα μοναχὸς, ὅτι ἐστέναξα ἔμπροσθέν σου. ### English translation (Claude) Once when abba Tithoes was sitting, a brother was near him; and not knowing it, he groaned; and he did not realize that a brother was near him, for he was in ecstasy. And making a prostration, he said, “Forgive me, brother, for I have not yet become a monk, since I groaned in front of you.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 116.6 (PG 65:427; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/116-6). ## Tithoes 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-116-7 - Source: PG 65:427–429 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Tithoes names self-control, prayer, and self-abasement as the road to humility. ### Greek text Ἀδελφὸς ἠρώτησε τὸν ἀββᾶν Τιθόην λέγων· Ποία ἐστὶν ἡ ὁδὸς ἡ ἀπάγουσα εἰς τὴν ταπείνωσιν Λέγει ὁ γέρων· Ἡ ὁδὸς τῆς ταπεινώσεως αὕτη ἐστὶν, ἐγκράτεια, καὶ εὐχὴ, καὶ τὸ ἔχειν ἑαυτὸν ὑποκάτω πάσης τῆς κτήσεως. ### English translation (Claude) A brother asked abba Tithoes, saying, “What is the road that leads to humility?” The old man says, “The road of humility is this: self-control, prayer, and holding oneself beneath all creation.” ### Translation notes - A variant form of saying 3 (on guarding the heart, ascribed in a variant to Sisoes), printed here in the scan, is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 116.7 (PG 65:427–429; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/116-7). ## Timothy 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-117-1 - Source: PG 65:429 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Poemen foresees that a prostitute who gives alms will repent, and she does when Timothy speaks to her. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Τιμόθεος ὁ πρεσβύτερος τὸν ἀββᾶν Ποιμένα, λέγων· Ἔστι γυνή τις ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ, ἥτις πορνεύει, καὶ τὸν μισθὸν αὐτῆς διδεῖ ἐλεημοσύνην. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ποιμήν· Οὐ μενεῖ ἐν τῇ πορνείᾳ· φαίνεται γὰρ ἐν αὐτῇ καρπὸς πίστεως. Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐλθεῖν τὴν μητέρα τοῦ πρεσβυτέρου Τιμοθέου πρὸς αὐτόν. Καὶ ἠρώτησεν αὐτὴν, λέγων· Ἐκείνη ἡ γυνὴ ἔμεινε πορνεύουσα; Ἡ δὲ λέγει· Ναί· καὶ προσέθηκε τοὺς ἐραστὰς αὐτῆς· πλὴν καὶ εἰς τὴν ἐλεημοσύνην. Καὶ ἀνήγγειλεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Τιμόθεος τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν Οὐ μενεῖ ἐν τῇ πορνείᾳ. Ἐλθοῦσα δὲ πάλιν ἡ μήτηρ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Τιμοθέου, εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Οἶδας ὅτι ἡ πόρνη ἐκείνη ἐζήτει ἐλθεῖν μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ, ἵνα εὔξῃ ὑπὲρ αὐτῆς Ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας ἀνήγγειλε τῷ ἀββᾷ Ποιμένι. Λέγει αὐτῷ· Μᾶλλον σὺ ἄπελθε, καὶ σύντυχε αὐτῇ. Καὶ ἀπῆλθεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Τιμόθεος, καὶ συνέτυχεν αὐτῇ. Ἡ δὲ ἰδοῦσα αὐτὸν, καὶ ἀκούσασα παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ, κατενύγη, καὶ ἔκλαυσε, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἐγὼ ἀπὸ τῆς σήμερον προσκολλῶμαι τῷ Θεῷ, καὶ οὐ προσθήσω ἔτι τοῦ πορνεύειν. Καὶ εὐθέως εἰσελθοῦσα εἰς μοναστήριον εὐηρέστησε τῷ Θεῷ. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Timothy the presbyter asked abba Poemen, saying, “There is a woman in Egypt who practices prostitution and gives her wages as alms.” And abba Poemen said, “She will not remain in prostitution; for a fruit of faith appears in her.” It happened that the mother of the presbyter Timothy came to him. And he asked her, saying, “Has that woman remained a prostitute?” She says, “Yes; and she has increased her lovers; but also her almsgiving.” And abba Timothy told abba Poemen. He said, “She will not remain in prostitution.” When abba Timothy’s mother came again, she said to him, “Do you know that that prostitute wanted to come with me so that you might pray for her?” Hearing this, he told abba Poemen. He says to him, “Rather go yourself and meet her.” And abba Timothy went and met her. Seeing him and hearing from him the word of God, she was pierced to the heart and wept, and said to him, “From today I cling to God, and I will no longer practice prostitution.” And at once she entered a monastery and pleased God. ### Translation notes - The story is told as written. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 117.1 (PG 65:429; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/117-1). ## Hyperechius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-118-1 - Source: PG 65:429 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A proven monk terrifies lustful thoughts as a lion terrifies wild asses. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ὑπερέχιος Ωσπερ ὁ λέων φοβερός ἐστι τοῖς ὀνάγροις, οὕτως ὁ δόκιμος μοναχὸς λογισμοῖς ἐπιθυμίας ### English translation (Claude) Abba Hyperechius said, “As the lion is fearsome to the wild asses, so is the proven monk to thoughts of desire.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 118.1 (PG 65:429; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/118-1). ## Hyperechius 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-118-2 - Source: PG 65:429 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Fasting bridles the monk; without it he is like a lustful horse. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἡ νηστεία χαλινός ἐστι τῷ μοναχῷ μετὰ τῆς ἁμαρτίας. Ὁ ῥίπτων αὐτὴν, ἵππος θηλυμανὴς εὑρίσκεται. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Fasting is the monk’s bridle against sin. One who throws it off becomes like a lustful horse.” ### Scripture references - Jer 5:8: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Cf. Jer 5:8. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 118.2 (PG 65:429; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/118-2). ## Hyperechius 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-118-3 - Source: PG 65:429 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: One who cannot curb his tongue in anger cannot master the passions. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ὁ μὴ κρατῶν γλώσσης αὐτοῦ ἐν καιρῷ ὀργῆς, οὐδὲ παθῶν κρατήσει ὁ τοιοῦτος. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “One who does not control his tongue in a time of anger will not control the passions either.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 118.3 (PG 65:429; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/118-3). ## Hyperechius 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-118-4 - Source: PG 65:429 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Better to eat meat than to devour brothers by slander. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Καλὸν φαγεῖν κρέα καὶ πιεῖν οἶνον, καὶ μὴ φαγεῖν ἐν καταλαλιαῖς σάρκας ἀδελφῶν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “It is better to eat meat and drink wine than to eat the flesh of one’s brothers in slander.” ### Scripture references - Gal 5:15: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 118.4 (PG 65:429; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/118-4). ## Hyperechius 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-118-5 - Source: PG 65:429 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The slanderer is like the whispering serpent, ruining the hearer and himself. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ψιθυρίσας ὁ ὄφις τὴν Εὔαν τοῦ παραδείσου ἐξέβαλε. Τούτου οὖν ὅμοιος ἔσται καὶ ὁ καταλαλῶν τοῦ πλησίον· τὴν γὰρ ψυχὴν τοῦ ἀκούοντος ἀπολλύει, καὶ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ οὐ διασώζει. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “By whispering, the serpent drove Eve out of paradise. So the one who slanders his neighbor will be like him; for he destroys the soul of the hearer and does not save his own.” ### Scripture references - Gen 3:4: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Gen 3. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 118.5 (PG 65:429; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/118-5). ## Hyperechius 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-118-6 - Source: PG 65:429 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Voluntary poverty is the monk’s treasure in heaven. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Θησαυρός ἐστι μοναχοῦ ἡ ἑκούσιος ἀκτημοσύνη. Θησαύρισον, ἀδελφὲ, ἐν οὐρανῷ ἀπέραντοι γὰρ τῆς ἀναπαύσεως οἱ αἰῶνες. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “The monk’s treasure is voluntary poverty. Lay up treasure, brother, in heaven; for the ages of rest are endless.” ### Scripture references - Matt 6:20: echo, medium confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 118.6 (PG 65:429; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/118-6). ## Hyperechius 7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-118-7 - Source: PG 65:429–431 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Meditate always on the kingdom of heaven and you will soon inherit it. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἡ ἐνθύμησίς σου διαπαντὸς ἔστω ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν· καὶ ἐν τάχει κληρονομήσεις αὐτήν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Let your meditation be always on the kingdom of heaven; and you will soon inherit it.” ### Translation notes - Variant notes are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 118.7 (PG 65:429–431; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/118-7). ## Hyperechius 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-118-8 - Source: PG 65:431 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Obedience gives the monk boldness before the crucified Lord, who was obedient unto death. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Κειμήλιόν ἐστι τοῦ μοναχοῦ ἡ ὑπακοή. Ὁ κεκτημένος αὐτὴν εἰσακουσθήσεται ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ μετὰ παῤῥησίας τῷ σταυρωθέντι παραστήσεται· ὁ γὰρ σταυρωθεὶς Κύριος ὑπήκοος γέγονε μέχρι θανάτου. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Obedience is the monk’s treasure. One who has acquired it will be heard by God and will stand with confidence before the Crucified; for the crucified Lord became obedient unto death.” ### Scripture references - Phil 2:8: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of Phil 2:8. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 118.8 (PG 65:431; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/118-8). ## Phocas 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-119-1 - Source: PG 65:431–433 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A monk torn between Chalcedonians and their opponents fasts forty days until the Lord tells him he is right where he is, with the orthodox. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Φωκᾶς ὁ τοῦ κοινοβίου τοῦ ἀββᾶ Θεογνίου τοῦ πρώτου Ἱεροσολυμίτου, ὅτι Καθημένου μου ἐν Σκήτει, γέγονέ τις ἀββᾶς Ἰάκωβος νεώτερος ἐν τοῖς Κελλίοις, ἔχων καὶ πατέρα τὸν αὐτὸν σαρκικὸν ἅμα καὶ πνευματικόν. Ἔχει δὲ τὰ Κελλία ἐκκλησίας δύο· μίαν τῶν ὀρθοδόξων, ἔνθα καὶ ἑκοινώνει, καὶ μίαν τῶν ἀποσχιστῶν. Ἐπεὶ οὖν εἶχεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰάκωβος τὴν χάριν τῆς ταπεινοφροσύνης, ἡγαπᾶτο παρὰ πάντων, καὶ τῶν ἐκκλησιαστικῶν, καὶ τῶν ἀποσχιστῶν. Ἔλεγον οὖν αὐτῷ οἱ ὀρθόδοξοι Βλέπε, ἀββᾶ Ἰάκωβε, μὴ ἀπατήσωσί σε οἱ ἀποσχίσται καὶ ἑλκύσωσί σε εἰς τὴν κοινωνίαν αὐτῶν. Ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ οἱ ἀποσχίσται ἔλεγον αὐτῷ· Ἵνα οἶδας, ἀββᾶ Ἰάκωβε, ὅτι μετὰ τῶν Διφυσιτῶν κοινωνῶν, ἀπόλλεις τὴν ψυχήν σου· Νεστοριανοὶ γάρ εἰσι, καὶ συκοφαντοῦσι τὴν ἀλήθειαν. Ὁ δὲ ἀββᾶς Ἰάκωβος ἀκέραιος ὢν, καὶ στενωθεὶς ἐκ τῶν λεγομένων αὐτῷ ἐξ ἀμφοτέρων, καὶ ἀπορηθεὶς, ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὸ παρακαλέσαι τὸν Θεόν. Καὶ δὴ ἀπέκρυψεν ἑαυτὸν ἐν κελλίῳ ἔξω τῆς λαύρας ἡσυχάζοντι, ἐνδυσάμενος τὰ ἐντάφια αὐτοῦ, ὡς μέλλων ἀποθνήσκειν. Ἔχουσι γὰρ ἔθος οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι Πατέρες, τὸν λεβίτωνα εἰς ὃν λαμβάνουσι τὸ ἅγιον σχῆμα, καὶ τὸ κουκούλιον, φυλάττειν ἕως θανάτου, καὶ ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐνταφιάζεσθαι, κατὰ Κυριακὴν μόνον εἰς τὴν ἁγίαν κοινωνίαν φοροῦντες αὐτὰ, καὶ εὐθέως συστέλλοντες. Ἀπελθὼν οὖν ἐν τῷ κελλίῳ ἐκείνῳ, παρακαλῶν τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ ἐξατονήσας τῇ νηστείᾳ, ἔπεσεν εἰς τὸ ἔδαφος, καὶ ἔμεινε κείμενος. Πολλὰ δὲ ἔλεγε πεπονθέναι ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις ὑπὸ τῶν δαιμόνων, μάλιστα κατὰ διάνοιαν. Τεσσαράκοντα δὲ ἡμερῶν διελθουσῶν, ὁρᾷ παιδίον εἰσελθὸν πρὸς αὐτὸν περιχαρὲς, καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· Ἀ̓ββᾶ Ἰάκωβε, τί ποιεῖς ὧδε Παραχρῆμα δὲ φωτισθεὶς, καὶ λαβὼν δύναμιν ἐκ τῆς αὐτοῦ θέας, εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Δέσποτα, σὺ γινώσκεις τί ἔχω. Ἐκεῖνοι λέγουσί μοι, Μὴ ἀφῆς τὴν Ἐκκλησίαν· καὶ οἱ ἄλλοι λέγουσί μοι, Πλανῶσί σε οἱ Διφυσῖται κἀγὼ ἀπορούμενος, καὶ μὴ εἰδὼς τί δράσω, ἦλθον εἰς τὸ πρᾶγμα τοῦτο. Αποκρίνεται αὐτῷ ὁ Κύριος· Ὅπου εἶ, καλῶς εἶ. Καὶ εὐθέως σὺν τῷ λόγῳ, εὑρέθη πρὸ τῶν θυρῶν τῆς ἁγίας Ἐκκλησίας τῶν ὀρθοδόξων τῶν συνοδικῶν ### English translation (Claude) Abba Phocas, of the community of abba Theognius, the first of Jerusalem, said, “When I was living at Scetis, there was a young abba James at the Cells, whose father was both his father according to the flesh and his spiritual father. The Cells have two churches: one of the orthodox, where he communicated, and one of the schismatics. Since abba James had the grace of humility, he was loved by all, both by the church party and by the schismatics. So the orthodox said to him, ‘Watch out, abba James, that the schismatics do not deceive you and draw you into their communion.’ Likewise the schismatics said to him, ‘You should know, abba James, that by communicating with the Diphysites you are destroying your soul; for they are Nestorians and slander the truth.’ Abba James, being guileless, was distressed by what both sides told him, and at a loss he turned to entreat God. And he hid himself in a cell outside the laura, in stillness, having put on his burial garments as one about to die. For the Egyptian Fathers have the custom of keeping until death the tunic in which they receive the holy habit and the hood, and of being buried in them, wearing them only on Sundays for holy communion and putting them away at once. So going into that cell, entreating God, and exhausted by fasting, he fell to the ground and remained lying there. He said that he suffered much in those days from the demons, especially in his mind. When forty days had passed, he sees a child come in to him, full of joy, and it says to him, ‘Abba James, what are you doing here?’ At once enlightened and taking strength from the sight of him, he said to him, ‘Master, you know what is wrong with me. Those say to me, “Do not leave the Church”; and the others say to me, “The Diphysites are deceiving you”; and being at a loss and not knowing what to do, I came to this.’ The Lord answers him, ‘Where you are, you are well.’ And at once, with the word, he found himself before the doors of the holy church of the orthodox who hold to the council.” ### Translation notes - The saying is told from the Chalcedonian (“orthodox who hold to the council”) side; the opponents call the Chalcedonians “Diphysites” and “Nestorians.” Translated as written. Variant notes and a running head are removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 119.1 (PG 65:431–433; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/119-1). ## Phocas 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-119-2 - Source: PG 65:433 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: James fasts forty days in a cave against lust and is revived by holy communion brought by Phocas. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν ὁ ἀββᾶς Φωκᾶς, ὅτι Μετελθὼν εἰς Σκῆτιν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ἰάκωβος, ἐπολεμήθη κραταίως ὑπὸ τοῦ δαίμονος τῆς πορνείας καὶ ἐγγὺς ὢν τοῦ κινδυνεῦσαι, ἦλθε πρὸς μὲ, καὶ ἀνέθετο τὰ καθ᾽ ἑαυτὸν, καὶ λέγει μοι· Εἰς τόδε τὸ σπήλαιον ἀπέρχομαι ἀπὸ τῆς δευτέρας· παρακαλῶ δέ σε διὰ τὸν Κύριον, μηδενὶ εἰπεῖν, μηδὲ τῷ πατρί μου· ἀλλὰ μέτρησον τεσσαράκοντα ἡμέρας, καὶ ὅταν πληρωθῶσι, ποίησον ἀγάπην, καὶ δεῦρο πρὸς μὲ βαστάζων τὴν ἁγίαν κοινωνίαν. Καὶ εἰ μὲν εὕρῃς με θανόντα, θάψον με· εἰ δὲ ἔτι ζῶντα, ἵνα μεταλάβω τῆς ἁγίας κοινωνίας. Ταῦτα οὖν ἀκούσας ἐγὼ παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ, πληρωθείσης τῆς τεσσαρακοστῆς, λαβὼν τὴν ἁγίαν κοινωνίαν, καὶ ἄρτον κοινὸν καθαρὸν μετὰ ὀλίγου οἴνου, ἀπῆλθον πρὸς αὐτόν· καὶ ὡς μόνον ἐπλησίασα τῷ σπηλαίῳ, δυσωδίας πολλῆς ὠσφράνθην, ἥτις ἐγένετο ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ. Καὶ εἶπον ἐν ἑαυτῷ, ὅτι Ἀνεπάη ὁ μακάριος. Εἰσελθὼν δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν, εὗρον αὐτὸν ἡμιθανῆ. Καὶ ὡς εἶδέ με, κινήσας τὴν δεξιὰν χεῖρα ὀλίγον, ὅσον ἡδύνατο, ἐσήμανε διὰ τοῦ σχήματος τῆς χειρὸς περὶ τῆς ἁγίας κοινωνίας. Ἐγὼ δὲ εἶπον· Ἔχω. Ἠθέλησα οὖν ἀνοῖξαι τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ, καὶ εὑρέθη σφηνωθέν· καὶ ἀπορῶν τί ποιῆσαι, ἐξῆλθον εἰς τὴν ἔρημον, καὶ εὗρον ξυλάριον ἀπὸ θάμνου· καὶ πολλὰ κοπιάσας, μόλις ἠδυνήθην ἀνοῖξαι τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ μικρόν. Καὶ ἐνέχεα τοῦ τιμίου σώματος καὶ αἵματος, ὅσον ἐνδέχεται καταλεπτύνας αὐτό. Καὶ ἔλαβε δύναμιν ἐκ τῆς μεταλήψεως τῆς ἁγίας κοινωνίας. Καὶ μετ᾿ ὀλίγον βρέξας ὀλίγα ψιχία ἐκ τοῦ κοινοῦ ἄρτου, προσήνεγκα αὐτῷ· καὶ μετ᾿ ὀλίγον πάλιν ἄλλα, καθ' ὁ ἡδύνατο λαβεῖν. Καὶ οὕτως διὰ τῆς χάριτος τοῦ Θεοῦ μετὰ μίαν ἡμέραν σὺν ἐμοὶ ἦλθεν, ὀδεύων ἐπὶ τὸ ἴδιον κελλίον, ἀπαλλαγεὶς σὺν Θεῷ τοῦ ὀλεθρίου πάθους τῆς πορνείας. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Phocas also said, “When abba James moved to Scetis, he was fiercely attacked by the demon of sexual immorality; and being near to danger, he came to me and told me about himself, and says to me, ‘I am going to such-and-such a cave from Monday; and I beg you for the Lord’s sake to tell no one, not even my father; but count forty days, and when they are completed, do me a kindness and come to me bringing holy communion. If you find me dead, bury me; and if still alive, so that I may partake of holy communion.’ Having heard this from him, when the forty days were completed, I took holy communion and ordinary clean bread with a little wine and went to him; and as soon as I approached the cave, I smelled a great stench, which came from his mouth. And I said to myself, ‘The blessed one has gone to rest.’ But going in to him, I found him half dead. And when he saw me, moving his right hand a little, as far as he could, he signaled by the gesture of his hand about holy communion. And I said, ‘I have it.’ So I wanted to open his mouth, and it was found locked; and not knowing what to do, I went out into the desert and found a little stick from a bush; and with great labor I was barely able to open his mouth a little. And I poured in of the precious body and blood as much as it would take, having crumbled it. And he received strength from partaking of holy communion. And after a little, moistening a few crumbs of the ordinary bread, I offered them to him; and after a little, more again, as he was able to take. And so by the grace of God after one day he came with me, walking to his own cell, set free with God’s help from the deadly passion of sexual immorality.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 119.2 (PG 65:433; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/119-2). ## Felix 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-120-1 - Source: PG 65:433 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Felix says God has taken the gift of the word from the elders because hearers no longer practice it. ### Greek text Παρέβαλον ἀδελφοὶ πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Φίλικα, ἔχοντες μεθ' ἑαυτῶν κοσμικούς· καὶ παρεκάλεσαν αὐτὸν, ἵνα εἴπῃ αὐτοῖς λόγον. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἐσιώπα. Ἐπὶ πολὺ δὲ παρακαλούντων αὐτῶν, εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Λόγον θέλετε ἀκοῦσαι; Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Ναὶ, ἀββᾶ. Εἶπεν οὖν ὁ γέρων· Ἄ̓́ρτι οὐκ ἔνι λόγος. Ὅτε ἠρώτων οἱ ὁ Θεὸς ἐπεχορήγει τὸ πῶς λαλῆσαι. Νῦν δὲ, ἐπειδὴ ἐρωτῶσι μὲν, οὐ ποιοῦσι δὲ ἃ ἀκούουσιν, ἦρεν ὁ Θεὸς τὴν χάριν τοῦ λόγου ἀπὸ τῶν γερόντων· καὶ οὐχ εὑρίσκουσι τί λαλῆσαι, ἐπειδὴ οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ ἐργαζόμενος. Καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ ἀδελφοὶ ταῦτα, ἐστέναξαν, λέγοντες· Εὖξαι ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν, ἀββᾶ. ### English translation (Claude) Brothers visited abba Felix, bringing some laymen with them; and they begged him to tell them a word. But the old man kept silent. When they had begged him a long time, he said to them, “You want to hear a word?” They say to him, “Yes, abba.” So the old man said, “Now there is no word. When [the brothers] asked [the old men and did what they heard], God supplied how to speak. But now, since they ask but do not do what they hear, God has taken away the grace of the word from the old men; and they do not find what to say, since there is no one to do it.” Hearing this, the brothers groaned, saying, “Pray for us, abba.” ### Scripture references - Jas 1:22: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Words are lost in the scan after “When” (in other copies: “the brothers asked the old men and did what they told them”); the bracketed words make the sense clear and are not in the Greek. A stray line at the end (from another saying) is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 120.1 (PG 65:433; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/120-1). ## Philagrius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-121-1 - Source: PG 65:435 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Philagrius returns a lost purse of a thousand coins, refuses a reward, and flees praise. ### Greek text Φιλάγριος ἦν τις τῶν ἁγίων λεγόμενος, οἰκῶν δὲ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ Ἱεροσολύμων, καὶ ἐργαζόμενος κόπῳ ἵνα ποιήσῃ τὸν ἴδιον ἄρτον. Καὶ ὡς ἵστατο ἐν τῇ ἀγορᾶ τιον χιλίων νομισμάτων· καὶ εὑρὼν αὐτὸ ὁ γέρων ἔστη ἐπὶ τοῦ τόπου, λέγων· Δεῖ τὸν ἀπολέσαντα ἐλθεῖν καὶ ἰδοὺ ἔρχεται κλαίων. Καὶ λαβὼν αὐτὸν κατ' ἰδίαν ὁ γέρων ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ. Καὶ ἐκράτει αὐτὸν ἐκεῖνος, θέλων αὐτῷ παρασχεῖν μέρος τι. Καὶ ὁ γέρων οὐκ ἠθέλησεν. Καὶ ἔβαλε κράζειν· Δεῦτε, ἴδετε ἄνθρωπον τοῦ Θεοῦ, τί ἐποίησεν. Ὁ δὲ γέρων λάθρα φυγὼν ἐξῆλθεν ἐκ τῆς πόλεως, ἵνα μὴ δοξασθῇ. ### English translation (Claude) There was one of the saints called Philagrius, living in the desert of Jerusalem and working with toil to make his own bread. And as he stood in the market … [a purse] of a thousand coins; and finding it, the old man stood on the spot, saying, “The one who lost it must come.” And look, he comes weeping. And taking him aside, the old man gave it to him. And he held on to him, wanting to give him some part. But the old man would not. And he began to shout, “Come, see what a man of God has done!” But the old man fled secretly and went out of the city, so as not to be glorified. ### Translation notes - Words are lost in the scan (in other copies: “to sell his handiwork, someone dropped a purse”); not supplied. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 121.1 (PG 65:435; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/121-1). ## Phortas 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-122-1 - Source: PG 65:435 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Phortas, though bedridden, refuses gifts not given for God’s sake and leaves his life to God. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Φορτᾶς· Εἰ θέλει με ὁ Θεὸς ζῇν οἶδεν πῶς οἰκονομήσει με· εἰ δὲ οὐ θέλει, ἵνα τί μοι τὸ ζῇν; Οὐ γὰρ παρὰ πάντων ἐδέχετό τι, καίτοι κλινήρης ὧν· ἔλεγε γάρ· Ἐὰν προσφέρῃ μοί τις τί ποτε, καὶ οὐχὶ διὰ τὸν Θεὸν, οὔτε ἐγὼ ἔχω τι δοῦναι αὐτῷ, οὔτε παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ λαμβάνει μισθόν· οὐ γὰρ διὰ τὸν Θεὸν προσήνεγκε καὶ ἀδικεῖται ὁ προσενέγκας. Δεῖ γὰρ τοὺς ἀνακειμένους τῷ Θεῷ, καὶ πρὸς αὐτὸν βλέποντας μόνον, οὕτως εὐλαβῶς διακεῖσθαι, ὡς μήτε ὕβριν τινὰ ἡγεῖσθαι, κἂν μυριάκις ἀδικούμενοι τύχοιεν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Phortas said, “If God wants me to live, he knows how to provide for me; and if he does not want it, why should I live?” For he did not accept anything from everyone, though he was bedridden; for he said, “If someone offers me something, and not for God’s sake, I have nothing to give him, nor does he receive a reward from God; for he did not offer it for God’s sake, and the one who offered is wronged. For those dedicated to God and looking to him alone must be so devoutly disposed that they do not count anything an insult, even if they are wronged ten thousand times.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 122.1 (PG 65:435; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/122-1). ## Chomai 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-123-1 - Source: PG 65:435 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Dying, Chomai warns against heretics and officials and urges giving over gathering. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Χομαὶ, ὅτι μέλλων τελευτᾶν εἶπε τοῖς υἱοῖς αὐτοῦ· Μὴ οἰκήσητε μετὰ αἱρετικῶν, μηδὲ σχῆτε γνῶσιν μετὰ ἀρχόντων, μηδὲ ἔστωσαν αἱ χεῖρες ὑμῶν ἡπλωμέναι εἰς τὸ συνάγειν, ἀλλ᾽ ἔστωσαν μᾶλλον ἡπλωμέναι εἰς τὸ διδόναι. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Chomai that when he was about to die he said to his sons, “Do not live with heretics, nor have acquaintance with magistrates, nor let your hands be stretched out to gather, but rather stretched out to give.” ### Extrabiblical texts - Sir 4:31 (Sirach): echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 123.1 (PG 65:435; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/123-1). ## Chaeremon 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/109-1/#p-124-1 - Source: PG 65:435 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Chaeremon lived far from church and water, carrying his supplies himself. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Χαιρέμωνος εἰς Σκῆτιν, ὅτι ἀπεῖχε τὸ σπήλαιον αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας μίλια τεσσαράκοντα, ἀπὸ δὲ τοῦ ἕλους καὶ τοῦ ὕδατος μίλια δώδεκα καὶ οὕτως εἰσέφερε τὸ ἐργόχειρον αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ σπήλαιον αὐτοῦ, καὶ δύο λαγύνια ἓν παρ' ἓν βαστάζων, καὶ ἐκαθέζετο, καὶ ἡσύχαζεν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Chaeremon at Scetis that his cave was forty miles from the church and twelve miles from the marsh and the water; and so he brought his handiwork into his cave, and carrying two jars one after the other, he sat and kept stillness. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 124.1 (PG 65:435; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/124-1). ## Psenthaisius 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/125-1/#p-125-1 - Source: PG 65:435–437 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Pachomius’s disciples see in their pagan-born father proof that holiness is open to all who choose it. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ψενθαΐσιος καὶ ὁ ἀββᾶς Σοῦρος καὶ Ψώϊος, ὅτι Ἀκούοντες τῶν λόγων τοῦ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν τοῦ ἀββᾶ Παχωμίου μεγάλως ὠφελούμεθα, εἰς ζῆλον ἀγαθῶν ἔργων διεγειρόμενοι. Ὁρῶντες δὲ αὐτοῦ καὶ σιωπῶντος τὴν πρᾶξιν λόγον οὖσαν, ἐθαυμάζομεν, πρὸς ἀλλήλους λέγοντες, ὅτι Ἐνομίζομεν πάντας τοὺς ἁγίους οὕτως πεποιεῖσθαι ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐκ κοιλίας μητρὸς αὐτῶν ἁγίους καὶ ἀτρέπτους, καὶ οὐχὶ αὐτεξουσίους· καὶ τοὺς ἁμαρτωλοὺς μὴ δυναμένους ζῇν εὐσεβῶς, διὰ τὸ οὕτως κτισθῆναι αὐτούς. Ἄρτι δὲ βλέπομεν τὴν ἀγαθότητα τοῦ Θεοῦ φανερῶς ἐπὶ τοῦ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν τούτου ὅτι ἐξ Ἑλλήνων γονέων ὢν, τοσοῦτον θεοσεβὴς γέγονε, καὶ πάσας τὰς ἐντολὰς τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐνδεδυμένος ἐστίν. Οὐκοῦν καὶ ἡμεῖς δυνάμεθα καὶ πάντες ἀκολουθῆσαι αὐτῷ, ἀνθ' ὧν ἀκολουθεῖ τοῖς ἁγίοις. Ἄ̓́ρα τὸ γεγραμμένον τοῦτό ἐστι· Δεῦτε πρὸς μὲ, πάντες οἱ κοπιῶντες καὶ πεφορτισμένοι, κἀγὼ ἀναπαύσω ὑμᾶς. Συναποθάνωμεν οὖν καὶ συζήσωμεν τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ τούτῳ, ὅτι ὀρθῶς ὁδηγεῖ ἡμᾶς πρὸς τὸν Θεόν. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Psenthaisius and abba Sourus and Psoius said, “Hearing the words of our father abba Pachomius, we were greatly helped, roused to zeal for good works. And seeing that even when he was silent his conduct was a word, we marveled, saying to one another, ‘We thought that all the saints had been made by God holy and unchangeable from their mother’s womb, and not free; and that sinners could not live devoutly, because they had been created so. But now we see the goodness of God clearly in this father of ours: that though born of pagan parents, he has become so God-fearing and is clothed with all the commandments of God. So we too can, and all can, follow him, since he follows the saints. Truly this is what is written: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” So let us die with this man and live with him, for he leads us rightly to God.’” ### Scripture references - Matt 11:28: quotation, high confidence - 2 Tim 2:11: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Variant notes inside a word are removed. The disciples reject the view that saints and sinners are made so by nature, affirming free will (αὐτεξούσιος). Quotation of Matt 11:28; cf. 2 Tim 2:11. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 125.1 (PG 65:435–437; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/125-1). ## Om (unnumbered opening text) - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/125-1/#p-126-0 - Source: PG 65:437 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: The letter heading (Omega) of the printed collection, before the sayings of abba Hor. ### Greek text Ω. ### English translation (Claude) [Ō.] ### Translation notes - The letter Ω is the heading of the last section of the alphabetical collection. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.0 (PG 65:437; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-0). ## Om 1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/125-1/#p-126-1 - Source: PG 65:437 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hor and Theodore abandon their building work, weeping at the thought of God’s sudden visitation. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ὥρ καὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Θεοδώρου, ὅτι ἦσαν βάλλοντες πηλὸν εἰς κελλίον καὶ εἶπον πρὸς ἀλλήλους, ὅτι Ἐὰν ἐπισκέψηται ἡμᾶς ἄρτι ὁ Θεὸς, τί ποιοῦμεν Καὶ κλαύσαντες ἀφῆκαν τὸν πηλὸν, καὶ ἀνεχώρησεν ὁ ἕκαστος εἰς τὸ κελλίον αὐτοῦ. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Hor and abba Theodore that they were putting mud on a cell, and they said to one another, “If God were to visit us now, what would we do?” And weeping, they left the mud, and each withdrew to his cell. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.1 (PG 65:437; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-1). ## Om 2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/125-1/#p-126-2 - Source: PG 65:437 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hor never lied, swore, cursed, or spoke needlessly. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ὥρ, ὅτι οὔτε ἐψεύσατό ποτε, οὔτε ὤμοσεν, οὔτε κατηράσατο ἄνθρωπον, οὔτε ἐκτὸς ἀνάγκης ἐλάλησεν. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Hor that he never lied, nor swore, nor cursed anyone, nor spoke without necessity. ### Scripture references - Matt 5:34: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.2 (PG 65:437; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-2). ## Om 3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/125-1/#p-126-3 - Source: PG 65:437 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hor forbids worldly talk in his cell. ### Greek text Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ὥρ τῷ μαθητῇ αὐτοῦ Παύλῳ Βλέπε, μηδέποτε ἀλλότριον λόγον ἐνέγκῃς εἰς τὸ κελλίον τοῦτο. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Hor said to his disciple Paul, “See that you never bring an alien word into this cell.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.3 (PG 65:437; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-3). ## Om 4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/125-1/#p-126-4 - Source: PG 65:437 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hor refuses palm leaves another buyer had reserved, preferring to go without work for a year. ### Greek text Ἀπῆλθέ ποτε Παῦλος ὁ μαθητὴς τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ὥρ ἀγοράσαι θαλλία, καὶ εὗρεν ὅτι ἄλλοι προέλαβον, καὶ ἔδωκαν ἀῤῥαβῶνα. Οὐδέποτε γὰρ ἀῤῥαβῶνα ἐδίδου ὁ ἀββᾶς Ὢρ εἰς τί ποτε, ἀλλὰ τῷ καιρῷ ἀπέστελλε τὸ τίμημα, καὶ ἠγόραζεν. Ἀπῆλθεν οὖν ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰς ἄλλον τόπον διὰ βαΐα· καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ κηπουρός· Τίς ποτε ἔδωκέ μοι ἀῤῥαβῶνα, καὶ οὐκ ἔτι ἦλθε· λάβε οὖν τὰ βαῖα σύ. Καὶ λαβὼν αὐτὰ ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν γέροντα, καὶ ἀνήγγειλεν αὐτῷ ταῦτα. Καὶ ὡς ἤκουσεν ὁ γέρων, ἔκρουσεν εἰς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ, λέγων· Ὁ Ὥρ οὐκ ἐργάζεται ἐφ᾿ ἔτος Καὶ οὐκ ἀφῆκε τὰ βαῖα ἔσω, ἕως ἀπήνεγκεν αὐτὰ εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτῶν. ### English translation (Claude) Once Paul, the disciple of abba Hor, went to buy palm leaves, and found that others had got there first and given a deposit. For abba Hor never gave a deposit for anything, but at the time he sent the price and bought. So his disciple went to another place for palm branches; and the gardener says to him, “Someone gave me a deposit and has not come back; so you take the palm branches.” And taking them he came to the old man and told him this. When the old man heard it, he struck his hands together, saying, “Hor does not work this year.” And he did not let the palm branches inside until he had taken them back to their place. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.4 (PG 65:437; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-4). ## Om 5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/125-1/#p-126-5 - Source: PG 65:437–439 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hor says ill feeling is always mutual; and he refuses to receive a charitable count. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ὥρ· Εἰ ὁρᾷς με λογισμὸν ἔχοντα κατὰ τινὸς, γίνωσκε ὅτι καὶ αὐτὸς τὸν αὐτὸν ἔχει εἰς ἐμέ. σ'. Ἦν τις κώμης ἐν τοῖς μέρεσι τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ὥρ, Λογγίνος καλούμενος, καὶ πολλὰς ἐλεημοσύνας ἐποίει· καὶ παραβαλόντι τινὶ τῶν Πατέρων, παρεκάλεσεν αὐτὸν ἕνα ἄρῃ αὐτὸν πρὸς τὸν ἀββᾶν Ωρ. Ἀπελθὼν οὖν πρὸς τὸν γέροντα ὁ μοναχὸς ἐνεκωμίαζε τὸν κώμητα, ὅτι καλός ἐστι, καὶ πολλὰς ἐλεημοσύνας ποιεῖ. Καὶ νοήσας ὁ γέρων, λέγει· καλός ἐστιν. Ἥρξατο οὖν ὁ μοναχὸς παρακαλεῖν αὐτὸν, λέγων· Συγχώρησον αὐτὸν ἀββᾶ, ἵνα ἔλθῃ καὶ ἴδῃ σε. Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ γέρων εἶπε· Φύσει οὐ περνᾷ τὴν φάραγγα ταύτην, καὶ βλέπει με. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Hor said, “If you see me holding a thought against someone, know that he too holds the same against me.” [6] There was a count in abba Hor’s region, called Longinus, and he gave many alms; and when one of the Fathers visited him, he begged him to take him to abba Hor. So the monk went to the old man and praised the count, that he was good and gave many alms. And the old man, perceiving it, says, “He is good.” So the monk began to beg him, saying, “Allow him, abba, to come and see you.” And the old man answered, “Truly he will not cross this ravine and see me.” ### Translation notes - The scan runs Hor 6 (its numeral misread as σʹ) into this saying; marked [6]. A stray line from another saying (asking a monastery to suspend its alms for a year) is removed. κώμης is taken as κόμης, “count.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.5 (PG 65:437–439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-5). ## Om 6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/125-1/#p-126-6 - Source: PG 65:439 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hor tells Sisoes to imitate him in thinking himself lowest of all. ### Greek text Ἠρώτησεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Σισόης τὸν ἀββᾶν Ὥρ, λέγων· Εἰπέ μοι λόγον. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἔχεις πίστιν εἰς ἐμέ Καὶ εἶπε· Ναί. Εἶπεν οὖν αὐτῷ· Ὕπαγε, καὶ ὁ ἑώρακάς με ποιοῦντα, ποίησον καὶ σύ. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Τί ὁρῶ, Πάτερ, εἰς σέ; Ἔφη δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ γέρων, ὅτι Ὁ λογισμός μου κατώτερός ἐστι πάντων ἀνθρώπων. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Sisoes asked abba Hor, saying, “Tell me a word.” And he said to him, “Do you have faith in me?” And he said, “Yes.” So he said to him, “Go, and what you have seen me do, do yourself too.” And he said to him, “What do I see in you, father?” The old man said to him, “My thought is lower than all men.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.6 (PG 65:439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-6). ## Om 8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/125-1/#p-126-8 - Source: PG 65:439 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hor and Theodore always began anew and gave thanks. ### Greek text Ἔλεγον περὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ὥρ καὶ τοῦ ἀββᾶ Θεοδώρου, ὅτι ἦσαν βάλλοντες ἀρχὰς ἀγαθὰς, καὶ εὐχαριστοῦντες τῷ Θεῷ διαπαντός. ### English translation (Claude) They said of abba Hor and abba Theodore that they were always making good beginnings and giving thanks to God continually. ### Scripture references - 1 Thess 5:18: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.8 (PG 65:439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-8). ## Om 9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/125-1/#p-126-9 - Source: PG 65:439 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Humility is the monk’s crown. ### Greek text Εἶπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ὥρ· Στέφανός ἐστι μοναχοῦ ἡ ταπεινοφροσύνη. ### English translation (Claude) Abba Hor said, “Humility is the monk’s crown.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.9 (PG 65:439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-9). ## Om 10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/125-1/#p-126-10 - Source: PG 65:439 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Undeserved honor harms; the unhonored are glorified by God. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ὁ πλέον τῆς ἀξίας τιμώμενος ἢ ἐπαινούμενος πολὺ ζημιοῦται· ὁ δὲ μηδὲ ὅλως τιμώμενος ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἄνωθεν δοξασθήσεται. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “One who is honored or praised beyond his worth is greatly harmed; but one who is not honored at all by men will be glorified from above.” ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.10 (PG 65:439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-10). ## Om 11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/125-1/#p-126-11 - Source: PG 65:439 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Answer proud thoughts by examining whether one has truly kept every commandment. ### Greek text Πάλιν εἶπεν· Ὅταν λογισμὸς ὑψηλοφροσύνης ἢ ὑπερηφανίας ὑπεισέλθοι σοι, ἐρεύνα σου τὸ συνειδὸς, εἰ πάσας τὰς ἐντολὰς ἐφύλαξας, εἰ ἀγαπᾶς τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου, καὶ λυπῇ ἐπὶ τῇ ἐλαττώσει αὐτῶν, καὶ ἔχεις ἑαυτὸν δοῦλον ἀχρεῖον, καὶ πάντων ἁμαρτωλότερον· καὶ τότε μηδὲ οὕτως μέγα φρονήσῃς, ὡς πάντα κατορθώσας· εἰδὼς ὅτι οὗτος ὁ λογισμὸς πάντα καταλύει. ### English translation (Claude) Again he said, “When a thought of haughtiness or pride steals into you, search your conscience: whether you have kept all the commandments, whether you love your enemies and grieve at their loss, and hold yourself an unprofitable servant and more sinful than all; and then do not think so highly of yourself as though you had achieved everything, knowing that this thought destroys everything.” ### Scripture references - Luke 17:10: allusion, medium confidence - Matt 5:44: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - A phrase belonging to the next saying is moved there. Cf. Luke 17:10; Matt 5:44. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.11 (PG 65:439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-11). ## Om 12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/125-1/#p-126-12 - Source: PG 65:439 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: In every trial blame yourself and your sins, not others. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἐν παντὶ πειρασμῷ μὴ μέμφου ἄνθρωπον, ἀλλὰ σεαυτὸν μόνον, λέγων, ὅτι Διὰ τὰς ἁμαρτίας μου ταῦτα συμβαίνει μοι. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “In every temptation do not blame a man, but yourself only, saying, ‘These things happen to me because of my sins.’” ### Translation notes - The end of the saying, displaced in the scan to the end of the previous saying, is restored. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.12 (PG 65:439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-12). ## Om 13 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/125-1/#p-126-13 - Source: PG 65:439 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Hor warns against comparing oneself favorably to a brother, lest one fall through boasting. ### Greek text Πάλιν εἶπε· Μὴ εἴπῃς ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου κατὰ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου, λέγων, ὅτι Νηφαλιώτερός εἰμι καὶ ἀσκητικώτερος· ἀλλ᾽ ὑποτάσσου τῇ χάριτι τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐν πνεύματι πτωχείας καὶ ἀγάπης ἀνυποκρίτου, ἵνα μὴ πνεύματι καυχήσεως περιπέσῃς, καὶ ἀπολέσῃς σου τὸν κόπον. Γέγραπται γάρ· Ὁ δοκῶν ἐστάναι, βλεπέτω μὴ πέσῃ. "Αλατι δὲ ἠρτυμένος ἔσο ἐν Κυρίῳ. ### English translation (Claude) Again he said, “Do not say in your heart against your brother, ‘I am more sober and more ascetic’; but submit to the grace of Christ in a spirit of poverty and unfeigned love, so that you may not fall into a spirit of boasting and lose your labor. For it is written, ‘Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.’ Be seasoned with salt in the Lord.” ### Scripture references - 1 Cor 10:12: quotation, high confidence - Col 4:6: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation of 1 Cor 10:12; cf. Col 4:6. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.13 (PG 65:439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-13). ## Om 14 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/125-1/#p-126-14 - Source: PG 65:439 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Either flee people or play the fool before the world. ### Greek text Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἢ φεύγων φεῦγε τοὺς ἀνθρώπους, ἢ ἔμπαιξον τὸν κόσμον καὶ τοὺς ἀνθρώπους, μωρὸν σεαυτὸν εἰς τὰ πολλὰ ποιῶν. ### English translation (Claude) He also said, “Either flee from men decisively, or mock the world and men, making yourself a fool in many things.” ### Scripture references - 1 Cor 3:18: echo, low confidence ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.14 (PG 65:439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-14). ## Om 15 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/apophthegmata-alphabetica/125-1/#p-126-15 - Source: PG 65:439 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Confess slander to the one slandered, for slander is the soul’s death. ### Greek text Πάλιν εἶπεν· Ἐὰν καταλαλήσῃς τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου, καὶ πλήξῃ σε τὸ συνειδός σου, ἄπελθε, βάλε αὐτῷ μετάνοιαν, καὶ εἰπὲ, ὅτι Κατελάλησά σου, καὶ ἀσφάλισαι μηκέτι ἐμπαιχθῆναι. Θάνατος γάρ ἐστι τῆς ψυχῆς ἡ καταλαλιά. ### English translation (Claude) Again he said, “If you slander your brother, and your conscience strikes you, go, make a prostration to him and say, ‘I slandered you,’ and make sure you are not mocked again. For slander is the death of the soul.” ### Scripture references - Matt 5:23: echo, low confidence ### Translation notes - A variant note is removed. ### Citation (SBL) Apophthegmata Patrum, Apoph. Patr. (alph.) 126.15 (PG 65:439; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/apophthegmata-alphabetica/126-15).