Авва Ксой

1. The brother asked Abba Xoi: “If I drink three cups of wine, is that too much?” Abba answered: “If there is no devil, then not much; if he is here, then there is a lot. Wine is the enemy of monks who live according to God.” Grape wine in hot climates has a completely different meaning than in temperate climates. In hot climates, drinking wine is often necessary. The devil forces you to drink wine for pleasure and on a whim. By this sign his presence and action are recognized. From such use of wine comes a variety of harm, passions are especially aroused, fornication and anger. A monk is allowed to drink wine only in cases of need. When a need presents itself, one must consider whether it really is a need? Isn’t desire hiding behind the guise of need? According to the requirements of true need, a monk is allowed to drink wine in moderation, so that the wine affects only the stomach and not the head. 2. Some of the fathers told the following about Abba Xoe of Thebes: “He once went to Mount Sinai. Returning from there, he met his brother, who, sighing, said to him: “Abba! We suffer from lack of rain." The elder answered: “Why don’t you pray and ask God?” The brother said: “And we pray and ask; but there is no rain.” “Apparently you are not praying diligently,” the elder answered: “Do you want to make sure that this is so?” With these words, he stretched out his hands to the sky, began to pray, and the rain began immediately. The brother, seeing this, came to the greatest surprise, fell on his face in front of the elder, and the elder very hastily left. The brother told everyone about what had happened: everyone who heard glorified God” 641. Alphabetical Patericon and Memorable Tales. You might be interested in: