Авва Лонгин

1. Abba Longinus said: “Just as a dead man does not eat, so the humble cannot condemn a person, even if he saw him worshiping idols” 642. 2. He said: “Silence leads to crying, and crying purifies the mind and makes it sinless” 643. 3. Abba Longinus had abundant tenderness during the prayer and psalmody he performed. His disciple once said to him: “Is this the spiritual rule for a monk to always cry during his prayers?” The elder answered him: “It is true, my son: this is the rule required by God. God created man not for crying, but for joy and joy, so that he would glorify God purely and sinlessly, as the Angels glorify Him; but man, having fallen into a fall, was forced to cry. Where there is no sin, there is no need for crying" 644. 4. Abba Longinus, in his new beginning, asked Abba Lucia about three thoughts, saying first: “I want to be a wanderer.” The elder answered: “If you do not hold your tongue, then you will not be able to be a wanderer, no matter where you go.” Then Longinus said: “I want to eat every other day.” Elder Lukiy answered this: “The prophet Isaiah said: “If you cut your neck like a sickle, will you call fasting pleasant?” (Isa. 58:5) Pay all your attention to refraining from evil thoughts.” Thirdly, Longinus said: “I want to get away from people.” The elder answered: “If you first do not put yourself in the right mood, being among people, then you will not be able to acquire it by living alone” 645. Alphabetical Patericon and Memorable Tales. You might be interested in: