Tag Archive for ‘Abba Agathon’
Perfect Charity
Abba Agathon said, “If I could meet a leper, give him my body and take his, I should be very happy.” That is perfect charity. It was also said of him that when he came into the town one day to sell his goods, he met a sick traveller lying in the public place with [...]
There is no Greater Labor than Prayer
The brethren also asked him [Agathon], “Amongst all good works, which is the virtue which requires the greatest effort?” He answered, “Forgive me, but I think there is no labor greater than that of prayer to God. For every time a man wants to pray, his enemies, the demons, want to prevent him, for they [...]
Which is more Important
Someone asked Abba Agathon, “Which is better, bodily asceticism or interior vigilance?” The old man replied, “Man is like a tree, bodily asceticism is the foliage, interior vigilance is the fruit. According to that which is written, ‘Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.’ [...]
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