To Young Monks About Obedience
October 28
(From the Paterikon: About Venerable John the Kolovos and His Obedience)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
October 28
(From the Paterikon: About Venerable John the Kolovos and His Obedience)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
In order for you, young monks, to better acquire the habit of obedience and to learn what true obedience should consist of, listen to the following story from the life of the Venerable John the Kolovos.
One day, this Saint came to the great elder Paul of Thebes and asked to be taken in. Paul asked, "Will you obey me in everything?" "I will," was the answer. Then Paul kept John with him and, to test his obedience, did the following. Paul took a branch from a fruit tree, planted it on a mountain, and commanded John to water it until it grew into a tree and bore fruit. Since water was far away and required nearly a day's trek to fetch it, this obedience was extremely difficult for John, yet he did not weaken in it. He watered the planted branch for three years and finally waited for it to become a tree and bear fruit. When the fruit ripened, Paul took it, brought it to the brethren's meal, and, handing it to the monks, said, "Take, eat: here are the fruits of obedience!" Another time, the elder said to John, "We saw a hyena cub near the monastery: go and bring it to me." "But how can I bring it, Father, for the hyena will attack me?" Paul, smiling, said, "Well, then tie up the hyena itself and bring it here too." John obeyed without question and went to the hyena's lair. When he approached it, the hyena ran out and began to flee from John. But he caught up with it, tied it up, and brought it to Paul. The elder was surprised, but, wishing to humble John, he took a club and began to beat John with it, saying, "Why did you, wretch, bring the dog to me? Let it go." John immediately carried out the elder's command.
Have you now understood from this example, young monks, what true obedience consists of? If you have not understood, or have not understood it completely, then we will explain to you what is needed. From this example it is clear that a truly obedient monk is one who, when given a command, does not argue or contradict; when given a command, does not distort it; when even beaten, does not become angry. He is ready for any task commanded by his superior, with self-denial. And now, knowing this, as John acted in relation to his elder, so do you also in relation to the abbot and your elders. Respectfully and willingly accept their advice and instructions; fulfill their commands unquestioningly and always be respectful to them in deeds, words, and feelings. And when you begin to act thus, then your salvation will be assured, for thus says Saint Ephraim the Syrian: "Blessed is he in whom there is obedience, because, being an imitator of the Lord, he also becomes His co-heir." Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
Notes:
* In the original text, there is no entry for October 29th. There this is the second entry for November 9th.
