In the Skete of St. Gregory the Hesychast ( 02-05-2006 )
Today, on the day of
“The virtuous and humble monk hides his virtues just like the rich man his treasure. He does not perform his own will but rather reproaches himself at every moment, struggling in the secret work according to the Scripture’s words, ‘My heart was hot within me; while I was musing, the fire burned’ (Ps. 39:3). What is this fire like? Hear the word of the Scripture that says, ‘God is a consuming fire’ (Heb. 12:29). Just as fire melts wax and dries the mud of the hidden filth, so does secret learning dry the impure thoughts, wither the soul’s passions, illumine the mind, make the thought bright and fill the heart with joy. Secret learning wounds the demons, expels the evil thoughts and illumines the inner man. God also fortifies him who arms himself with the secret learning, angels support him and people praise him. Secret learning and reading are the soul’s home that cannot be entered, motionless pillar, serene and undisturbed haven in which the soul is saved. The demons become very upset and troubled when a monk arms himself with the secret learning i.e. with the prayer, ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner’, and also with the reading of the Divine Scripture in solitude.” (Abba Isaiah)
