Prot. Dionysius Dunaevsky. “Gifts by the Road”: a lesson from St. Pimen the Greattranslated

According to the thought of St. John Chrysostom, “no other person’s prayer can help someone who himself does not do good deeds and remains in negligence.”

Here is a story from the Prologue about how the Lord impartially tests hearts and why holiness cannot be “transferred” by the prayer of an elder alone.

The sun mercilessly scorched over the hot sands of the desert when Abba Pimen and his disciples returned from the city to their native Skete desert. They spent several difficult days in the city: selling baskets and mats - the fruits of their modest handicrafts, and purchasing meager provisions needed by the monastery for the long months of seclusion.

The elder was already deeply weak in body, his legs, accustomed to standing in prayer, reluctantly walked on the hot sand. Seeing that the young novices were full of strength and were only wasting time because of him, Abba Pimen stopped and meekly said:

- Go forward, children. My step is heavy and I am holding you back. Go to the monastery, and I will slowly follow you.

The students bowed and quickly walked forward. Soon their silhouettes disappeared behind the sultry haze of the horizon, and the old man was left alone in the desert.

After going through several stages, the young monks suddenly froze. There was a man lying right in the middle of the dusty road. His clothes...