The laughable stories collected by Mâr Gregory John Bar Hebræ

PROFITABLE SAYINGS OF THE CHRISTIAN RECLUSES. 53
CCVII. A certain brother asked Abba Sisoes saying,
"So then thou hast not, O father, yet arrived at An-
"tony's capacity [for ascetic labours]?" The old man
said unto him, "If I had had only one thought of Abba
"Antony's my whole being would have been like a
"pillar of light ^"
CCVIII. A certain aged man was asked by a brother,
"When I am in the place of purity, and the hour for
"prayer cometh, must I return?" The aged man said
to him, "Nay, brother. Who having been rich would
"return to poverty?" Now he referred to the lifting up
of the mind and to the converse with God in the place
of purity.
CCIX. It is said concerning Saint Ammon^ the vir-
In Palladius this story runs:— oa.r^.J!OCU» rdar^ JO»