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Wed. Venerable. Peter of Damascus: "the doer of the Divine commandments of Christ" (on εργάτης τών ^εί'ων εντολών τού Χριστού) believes that for the Lord all things are possible, that all His will is good, and without Him there can be nothing good. Therefore, such a "worker" does not want to do anything outside the will of God, "even if it be life" (παν ζωή εστι), but seeks only the will of God, for it "is eternal life." See: ΦΙΛΟΚΑΛΙΑ. ΤΟΜΟΣ Γ'. Σ. 116.

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The many-minded concept of γνώμη ("thought, reason, spirit, will, decision", etc.) is most likely used here in a similar meaning. This meaning is also found in one of the epistles of St. Ignatius the God-bearer, who exhorts Christians to live in harmony (lit.; converge) with the will (or "thought") of God (συντρεχητε τή γνώμη τού Θεού). See: T^pase ^IiyosAe. Ro/usa^re ^e ^zhugpe. Lettres. P. 60.

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Or "confess [Him]" (δίδως εξομολόγησή); however, the meaning of thanksgiving for the term εξομολόγησις in relation to this phrase of St. Ammon is given in the Lampe dictionary (see: ^yazhre S. W. R. Op. cit. P. 500). However, "confession" and "thanksgiving" in relation to God are practically synonymous. Thus, Didymus the Blind, interpreting Ps. 42:4, directly says: "Confession means thanksgiving" (ή εξομολόγησις εύχαριστίαν σημαίνει) (ΔΙΔΙΜΟΣ Ο ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΕΥΣ. ΜΕΡΟΣ Δ // ΒΙΒΛΙΟΘΗΚΗ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ ΠΑΤΕΡΩΝ. Τ. 46. ΑΘΗΝΑΙ, 1973. Σ. 322).

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Prep. John Cassian of Rome observes that the aspirant to perfection must begin with the first stage, which is fear, which is called "slavish" i//o primo fimoris gra^M ^Mem proprie ^i^imMs esse seroi/em); it is with this level that the words in Luke correlate. 17, 10 (see: Jean Cassien. Conferences. T. II. P. 105). On the contrary, for St. St. Symeon the New Theologian, the expression "worthless slave" refers to the highest stage of spiritual progress: he applies this name to the Lord's beloved disciple (St. John the Theologian). Also, speaking of a certain deceased brother Anthony, St. Simeon praises his virtues (purity, chastity, humility), born in this strict ascetic thanks to the commandment given by the Lord in Luke. 17, 10 (see: Symeon /e NoMoeaM TAeo/ogien. Catecheses. T. II. P. 340, 352).

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