Авва Иоанн из Келлий

Abba John of Kelly said: “In Egypt there was a harlot of extraordinary beauty, very rich. Notable people visited her. One day she came to the church and wanted to enter it: but the subdeacon standing at the door did not allow her, saying: “You are not worthy to enter the house of God, because you are unclean.” The harlot insisted that she be allowed entry, but the subdeacon did not allow her. They started arguing. The bishop, hearing the noise, went to the door. The harlot told him: “The subdeacon does not let me into the church.” The bishop answered her: “It is impossible for you to enter because you are unclean.” Amazed by this, the harlot exclaimed: “From now on I will no longer commit fornication.” The bishop said to this: “If you bring your property here, then I will believe that you will cease from sin.” The harlot brought her property before the bishop: he threw it into the fire. After this, the harlot, shedding tears, entered the church and said: “If this was done to me here, then what would have happened there?” “She brought repentance and became a chosen vessel” 619. You might be interested in: