Message to those who strive in monastic life

“Message to those who strive in the monastic life” by St. Athanasius the Great is a spiritual instruction to monastics, designed to strengthen them in the faith and protect them from heretical temptations. The focus is on the threat of the spread of Arian views. St. Athanasius emphasizes that communication with heretics can become a temptation for the brethren and lead to the spread of the “mud of wickedness.” He instructs that it is necessary to avoid those who clearly hold wicked views, and to beware of those who, while professing to be orthodox, maintain connections with the Arians. Athanasius wishes for those who strive in the monastic life and are confirmed in the faith of God, his beloved and most desired brothers, to rejoice in the Lord. I thank the Lord, who has given you to believe in Him, so that you too may have eternal life with the saints. But since some who philosophize in the Arian way go to monasteries for no other reason than that, having come to you as if from us, they can deceive the simple-minded; Others, who claim that they do not philosophize in the Arian way, nevertheless walk with the Arians and pray with them, then, out of necessity, convinced by some sincere brothers, I took it upon myself to write to you, so that you, healthy and unflatteringly maintaining the pious faith that is accomplished in you by the grace of God, would not give your brothers a reason for temptation. For when others see that you, faithful in Christ, come together and have fellowship with the Arians, then, without a doubt, assuming that this is not important, they will fall into the mire of wickedness. Therefore, to prevent this from happening, be kind, beloved, to avoid those who are clearly philosophizing wickedly, and to beware of those who think of themselves that they are not philosophizing in an Arian way, but have fellowship with the wicked. Most of all, we should avoid communicating with those with whom we avoid sharing the same wisdom. And if someone shows that he professes the right faith, but turns out to have fellowship with the Arians, then admonish him to give up such a habit; and if he makes a promise, have him as a brother, but if he stubbornly remains in his own way, cast him away from you. By doing this, you will maintain pure faith; and they, looking at you, will benefit from this, fearing that they will not be recognized as wicked and wise in the Arian way. You might be interested in: