How to Benefit from the Holy Liturgy - Pope Kirillos Scientific Family

“…Our father Abba Daniel the hegumen…”, who was the
protopriest of the wilderness of Scetes in the sixth century.
He was characterised by great insight, spiritual wisdom and
distinction, granted to him by God. These gifts enabled him
to lead great multitudes of monks in their spiritual life. God
also gave him the talent of knowledge of virtues and vices of
people to facilitate his leadership of others and know their
hearts, so as to guide them. Try to learn from him the virtue
of spiritual wisdom and Divine distinction. This comes by
continuous reading in the Holy Bible, in a spirit of
submission and prayer, so that the Holy Spirit may teach you
what you need. This also comes by reading the sayings and
teachings of the fathers, knowing their struggle and manner
which was guided by the Holy Spirit. Knowledge comes by
the life of discipleship, and guidance by the spiritual fathers.
“…Our father Abba Isidor the priest…”, who was the
great saintly priest of the wilderness in the fifth century, the
golden era of monasticism. He was full of wisdom and
patience. He once said, "From the time I became a monk, I
never allowed anger to come out of my mouth." He helped
the poor, encouraged the oppressed and bore everyone
patiently. He, "strengthened the weak hands, made firm
the feeble knees, said to those who are fearful hearted, be
strong, do not fear. Behold your God will come and save
you" (Isaiah 35:3-4). It is mentioned about him that any
father who had a son and failed to chasten him, sent him to
St. Isidor, who would counsel him and save him.
“…Our father Abba Bakhomius, the father of the
community…”, there were two conflicting qualities in the
character of St. Bakhomius, his extreme strictness and his
extreme humility. He was very strict in administering his
158