Search

From the sayings ofSAINT MOSES THE BLACK about Tolerating Insults and Trials

From the sayings ofSAINT MOSES THE BLACK about Tolerating Insults and Trials

 

Once, the Fathers of Scete were gathered together. But because some people wanted to see Abba Moses, they ‎treated him rudely saying, "Why does this Ethiopian come and go in our midst?" But Moses, hearing this, held his ‎peace. When the congregation was dismissed, they said to him, "Abba Moses, were you not upset?" And he said to ‎them, "Although I was upset, I did not utter a word."‎

On one occasion Abba Moses of Patara was engaged in a war against fornication, and he could not endure being in ‎his cell, and he went and informed Abba Isidore of it; and the elder entreated him to return to his cell, but he would ‎not agree to this. And having said, "Fr., I cannot bear it," the elder took him up to the roof of his cell, and said unto him, "Look to the west," and when he looked he saw multitudes of devils with troubled and terrified aspects, and they showed themselves in the forms of phantoms which were in fighting attitudes. Abba Isidore said unto him, ‎‎"Look to the east," and when he looked he saw innumerable holy angels standing there, and they were in a state of ‎great glory. Then Abba Isidore said unto him, "Behold, those who are in the west are those who are fighting with the ‎holy ones, and those whom you have seen in the east are they who are sent by God to the help of the saints, for those ‎who are with us are many." And having seen this Abba Moses took courage and returned to his cell without fear.‎