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the holy new martyrs of eastern russia - Coptic Orthodox teaching

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249<br />

"I said that I would go alone, only would <strong>the</strong>y give me a mule or a horse.<br />

They gave me a mule which went each day to Karyes to bring provisions for<br />

<strong>the</strong> members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Athonite Synod. So <strong>the</strong> mule k<strong>new</strong> <strong>the</strong> road. It was dark<br />

and foggy. I left <strong>the</strong> Panteleimon monastery. Along <strong>the</strong> whole route I met<br />

only three desert-dwellers in various places. The mule brought me to Karyes,<br />

where it used to bring provisions, but wouldn't go a step fur<strong>the</strong>r. Then I got<br />

<strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> mule and went in front <strong>of</strong> it, leading it. We arrived at our community, I<br />

tied <strong>the</strong> mule to <strong>the</strong> pavilion, went up to <strong>the</strong> gates and knocked. A monk<br />

opened <strong>the</strong> gate. He didn't know me. He asked who was <strong>the</strong>re. I replied: 'One<br />

<strong>of</strong> ours.' He opened up and I went in. But since he didn't know me, he said:<br />

"'Who are you? You're not one <strong>of</strong> ours.'<br />

"But I said: 'No, I am one <strong>of</strong> yours.'<br />

"He got frightened and said:<br />

"'Go away, o<strong>the</strong>rwise <strong>the</strong>y'll rebuke me for letting in a stranger.'<br />

"I asked: 'Who is now <strong>the</strong> oldest gate-keeper in <strong>the</strong> community?'<br />

"Fr. Archippus,' he replied.<br />

Fr. Archippus was not to be found, he had left on some business. I asked<br />

<strong>the</strong> monk at <strong>the</strong> gate to tell him that such-and-such a monk had arrived, and<br />

<strong>the</strong>n myself went out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gates and began to untie <strong>the</strong> mule and my<br />

baggage. When Fr. Archippus arrived, his assistant told him that some<br />

stranger had arrived. Fr. Archippus came out and began to ask me:<br />

"'Who are you?'<br />

"I replied: 'It's me.'<br />

"He again asked: "But who are you?'<br />

"'Well, I'm me,' I replied.<br />

"When I said: 'Well, I'm me,' he recognized my voice, fell at my feet and<br />

said:<br />

"'Give <strong>the</strong> blessing.'<br />

"Then we greeted each o<strong>the</strong>r and kissed each o<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

"'Is <strong>the</strong> abbot well?' I asked.<br />

249

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