Авва Иоанн Раифский

1. Abba John, who was abbot in Raifa, said to his monks: “My children! Just as we fled from the world, so we flee from carnal lusts; let us be like our fathers, who lived here in the strictest silence and asceticism; let us not desecrate, my children, this place which our fathers cleansed from demons” 611. 2. He said: “What can sin where there is repentance? what success can love have where there is pride” 612. 3. He said: “I saw the elders who lived here until they were seventy years old, eating only dates and greens” 613. 4. He said about himself that he spent seventy-six years in the Raifa desert, having been subjected to many severe and fierce temptations from demons 614. 5. He said: “Here is the place of monks, not merchants” 615. Alphabetical Patericon and Memorable Tales. You might be interested in: