Instruction to Monks

1Fasting cuts off the excess of foods, and self-control with prayer removes the lawlessness of fornication. Non-possession restrains the love of money, which is the mother of idolatry, and hope in God cuts off bodily anxiety. The reading of divine writings and wakefulness with prayer restrain a wandering mind. Long-suffering and psalmody soothe the onset of anger. Endurance and tears suppress acedia, and hatred of pleasures silences worldly sorrow.

Humility acquires hospitality, and turning away from ambition and superiority restrains them; as for pride, that ancient evil, which is detestable before the Lord, against which even God resists (James 4:6), immeasurable humility brings it to rest, saying: 'I am dust and ashes' (Gen 18:27). And again: 'Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it' (Ps 127:1),' and one must guard oneself, being tested. Just as it is impossible for turbid water to be cleansed if it does not remain still, so it is impossible to know a monk's state without stillness. Just as it is impossible for an athlete to be crowned without wrestling, so it is impossible to become a Christian without struggles. Just as a yoke is not equal if one part is heavy, so it is impossible to fulfill God's commandment while the fleshly mind prevails. Just as it is impossible to learn a craft without having studied diligently, so it is impossible to acquire prayer without having persevered in God in rectitude.

2To the heart. He who has not acquired pure prayer has no weapon for war. He who is adorned and equipped by the virtues of God will be a dwelling-place for demons.

Just as a king cannot dwell in the house of a poor man, so Christ will not dwell in a soul defiled by sin. Just as a barren place is made fruitful through diligent care, so a soul made wild by sins is made fruitful if it lives by the law of God. Just as a rock in the sea remains firm and unshaken, even when struck by waves, so also the one having perfected the virtues, and having been strengthened by them entirely, will never be shaken by the devil. Just as a physician devises a remedy for the treatment of a disease, so also the knowledge of God, being preserved, teaches the one participating in it so that he might be kept safe and proceed to greater things. Just as a precipice creates its own passage, so also sin having been received works the destruction of what it has acquired. Just as a deer that has fallen into a pit cannot easily escape, so also the one performing desires and turning about in this world will never flee sin; for desires are evil, and pleasures are ill-fated chains. Just as a vine, not producing good fruits, is cut off so that it does not waste the place, so also every one will be uprooted from the Lord.

3He who does not produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Just as it is impossible for a man not to be harmed when struck by an arrow, so it is impossible for a monk to receive an evil thought without being wounded.

Just as one who has departed from the straight way wanders in a foreign land, not knowing where he goes, so also a man wanders who does not believe in the consubstantial Trinity. Just as one thing is divided into many through division yet remains one in nature, so also the Holy Trinity, even if it is divided in names and in hypostases, is one in nature.

You will not grasp the nature of God, not even flying with wings, for God is incomprehensible, and therefore He is the Creator of us. Just as a vessel being manufactured is ignorant of the origin and the nature of the maker, so also man will not be able to find the nature or the origin of God.

Do not scrutinize the Trinity, but only believe and worship; for he who scrutinizes does not believe. Acquire wisdom and not silver; make a shining garment of Christ our Lord, above every fine linen garment, for it will not benefit what exists on the day of death.

Just as fire consumes dry wood, so every sinner will be consumed by the eternal fire, and he will not be able to reach an end; for he will be tortured immortally.