Because of this, a kind of meaninglessness grew in the recesses of the hermit's soul, only the ancient habit of work still elevated his mind and directed his thoughts to divine work.

In the evenings, after the usual prayers, entering the cave, he would sometimes find bread on the table, sent to him by God, and would eat it, but he would not banish bad thoughts from his mind, and he would not think that inattention was ruining his labors, nor would he pay attention to the evil growing in him. A slight evasion of duties seemed to him unimportant.

7. And so a lustful passion, taking possession of his thoughts, began to call him into the world. But the ascetic still restrained himself. Once, having spent a day in the usual asceticism, he entered the cave after prayer and hymns, and there, as before, he found bread, but no longer so carefully cooked and not as clean as before, but with rubbish. He was surprised and somewhat saddened by this, but he refreshed himself with bread. Now the third evil night has come. His mind gave himself up even more to lustful thoughts, and his imagination presented him with impure dreams as vividly as if they were actually coming true. In spite of this, however, he continued his ascetic labors the next day: he prayed, sang psalms, but no longer with a pure disposition, and often turned around, looking around. His good deeds were interrupted by various thoughts.

In the evening, feeling the need for food, he entered the cave and, although he found bread in the usual place, it seemed to be eaten by dogs and mice, and outside the cave there were dry remains. Then he began to groan and weep, but not as much as would have been necessary to restrain the impure lust. Though not as much as he wished, he nevertheless ate the bread and began to calm down. Then a multitude of thoughts fell upon him, trampling his mind. They, like a prisoner, dragged the monk into the world. He left his wilderness and went to the village at night. The day found him still on the way, and the village was still far away. The ascetic, scorched by the heat, became exhausted and began to look around him to see if there was a monastery in which he could rest.

Ahead of him did indeed appear the monastery, where he directed his steps. The monastery brethren greeted him with joy, like a true father, and washed his face and feet, which were covered with dust after a long journey. After praying, they offered him a meal, asking him to accept with love what they had.

Then the brothers asked him to tell them the word of an ascetic about how to be saved, avoid the snares of the devil and remain above impure thoughts. The Elder instructed them with many examples from his ascetic life and told them about the struggle with thoughts, adding that they should zealously perform feats and endure sufferings with unshakable hope for future blessings and pleasures in heaven, where they will soon move. Having finished his instructions, the ascetic involuntarily thought about himself: how, while admonishing others, he himself remained incomprehensible. Realizing his fall, the ascetic immediately got up and returned to the wilderness, to that cave that had already become his home, to a burlap on the ground, in order to groan heavily and weep over his sins.

The ascetic did not cease his weeping until he heard the voice of an angel who said to him in a dream: "God has accepted your repentance and has had mercy on you; Just see that you don't flatter yourself. The brethren whom thou hast instructed shall come to visit thee, and bring thee loaves of bread for blessing; share them with them and always thank God."

From then on, he constantly mourned for the rest of his life and (remembered) this significant divine meal.

4. From St. Maximus

Turn away from evil and do good (Psalm 33:15). That is, fight with your enemies in order to reduce your passions, and fight them again in order to acquire virtues. And then sober up in order to preserve these virtues. This is the work of cultivating and preserving it (Gen 2:15).

5. From Otechnik

Abba Anthony heard people talking about a certain young monk who was walking along the road and performed a miracle. He met elders who were tired of the long journey. The young man called the zebras to allow the elders to sit on them and take them to Abba Anthony. The elders came on zebras to the abba and told him about what a miracle the monk had performed. Abba Anthony said to them:

"I think this monk is like a ship full of goods, but I don't know if it will reach the pier.

And after a while, Abba Anthony suddenly began to weep, began to angrily tear his hair and moan heavily.